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Drug Interactions between acetaminophen / diphenhydramine / phenylephrine and meperidine

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

meperidine diphenhydrAMINE

Applies to: meperidine and acetaminophen / diphenhydramine / phenylephrine

ADJUST DOSE: The central nervous system and respiratory depressant effects of meperidine may be potentiated by concomitant use of other agents with CNS depressant effects. An increased risk of serious adverse reactions such as respiratory depression, hypotension, profound sedation, syncope, coma, and even death should be considered, particularly in elderly or debilitated patients.

MANAGEMENT: Caution and dosage adjustments are advisable when meperidine is used in combination with other narcotic analgesics, general anesthetics, phenothiazines, sedative-hypnotics, tranquilizers, tricyclic antidepressants, or other CNS depressants such as alcohol. A lower dosage of meperidine should be considered initially, then titrated carefully according to pain level and clinical response. Meperidine dosage reductions of 25% to 50% have been recommended for patients receiving phenothiazines and other tranquilizers. Patients should be advised to avoid rising abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position, and to notify their physician if they experience dizziness, lightheadedness, orthostasis, syncope, tachycardia, or excessive CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities. Patients should also avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until they know how these medications affect them.

References

  1. Lambertsen CJ, Wendel H, Longenhagen JB (1961) "The separate and combined respiratory effects of chlorpromazine and meperidine in normal men controlled at 46 mm Hg alveolar pCO2." J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 131, p. 381-93
  2. Hoffman JC, Smith TC (1970) "The respiratory effects of meperidine and propiomazine in man." Anesthesiology, 32, p. 325-31
  3. Stambaugh JE, Wainer IW (1981) "Drug interaction: meperidine and chlorpromazine, a toxic combination." J Clin Pharmacol, 21, p. 140-6
  4. (2002) "Product Information. Demerol (meperidine)." Sanofi Winthrop Pharmaceuticals
  5. (2022) "Product Information. Meperidine Hydrochloride (meperidine)." Astra-Zeneca Pharmaceuticals
View all 5 references

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Drug and food interactions

Major

acetaminophen food

Applies to: acetaminophen / diphenhydramine / phenylephrine

GENERALLY AVOID: Chronic, excessive consumption of alcohol may increase the risk of acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity, which has included rare cases of fatal hepatitis and frank hepatic failure requiring liver transplantation. The proposed mechanism is induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes during chronic alcohol use, which may result in accelerated metabolism of acetaminophen and increased production of potentially hepatotoxic metabolites.

MANAGEMENT: In general, chronic alcoholics should avoid regular or excessive use of acetaminophen. Alternative analgesic/antipyretic therapy may be appropriate in patients who consume three or more alcoholic drinks per day. However, if acetaminophen is used, these patients should be cautioned not to exceed the recommended dosage (maximum 4 g/day in adults and children 12 years of age or older).

References

  1. Kaysen GA, Pond SM, Roper MH, Menke DJ, Marrama MA (1985) "Combined hepatic and renal injury in alcoholics during therapeutic use of acetaminophen." Arch Intern Med, 145, p. 2019-23
  2. O'Dell JR, Zetterman RK, Burnett DA (1986) "Centrilobular hepatic fibrosis following acetaminophen-induced hepatic necrosis in an alcoholic." JAMA, 255, p. 2636-7
  3. Seeff LB, Cuccherini BA, Zimmerman HJ, Adler E, Benjamin SB (1986) "Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity in alcoholics." Ann Intern Med, 104, p. 399-404
  4. Thummel KE, Slattery JT, Nelson SD (1988) "Mechanism by which ethanol diminishes the hepatotoxicity of acetaminophen." J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 245, p. 129-36
  5. McClain CJ, Kromhout JP, Peterson FJ, Holtzman JL (1980) "Potentiation of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity by alcohol." JAMA, 244, p. 251-3
  6. Kartsonis A, Reddy KR, Schiff ER (1986) "Alcohol, acetaminophen, and hepatic necrosis." Ann Intern Med, 105, p. 138-9
  7. Prescott LF, Critchley JA (1983) "Drug interactions affecting analgesic toxicity." Am J Med, 75, p. 113-6
  8. (2002) "Product Information. Tylenol (acetaminophen)." McNeil Pharmaceutical
  9. Whitcomb DC, Block GD (1994) "Association of acetaminopphen hepatotoxicity with fasting and ethanol use." JAMA, 272, p. 1845-50
  10. Bonkovsky HL (1995) "Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity, fasting, and ethanol." JAMA, 274, p. 301
  11. Nelson EB, Temple AR (1995) "Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity, fasting, and ethanol." JAMA, 274, p. 301
  12. Zimmerman HJ, Maddrey WC (1995) "Acetaminophen (paracetamol) hepatotoxicity with regular intake of alcohol: analysis of instances of therapeutic misadventure." Hepatology, 22, p. 767-73
View all 12 references

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Moderate

meperidine food

Applies to: meperidine

GENERALLY AVOID: Ethanol may potentiate the central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects of opioid analgesics. Concomitant use may result in additive CNS depression and impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills. In more severe cases, hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, or even death may occur.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of opioid analgesics with ethanol should be avoided.

References

  1. Linnoila M, Hakkinen S (1974) "Effects of diazepam and codeine, alone and in combination with alcohol, on simulated driving." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 15, p. 368-73
  2. Sturner WQ, Garriott JC (1973) "Deaths involving propoxyphene: a study of 41 cases over a two-year period." JAMA, 223, p. 1125-30
  3. Girre C, Hirschhorn M, Bertaux L, et al. (1991) "Enhancement of propoxyphene bioavailability by ethanol: relation to psychomotor and cognitive function in healthy volunteers." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 41, p. 147-52
  4. Levine B, Saady J, Fierro M, Valentour J (1984) "A hydromorphone and ethanol fatality." J Forensic Sci, 29, p. 655-9
  5. Sellers EM, Hamilton CA, Kaplan HL, Degani NC, Foltz RL (1985) "Pharmacokinetic interaction of propoxyphene with ethanol." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 19, p. 398-401
  6. Carson DJ (1977) "Fatal dextropropoxyphene poisoning in Northern Ireland. Review of 30 cases." Lancet, 1, p. 894-7
  7. Rosser WW (1980) "The interaction of propoxyphene with other drugs." Can Med Assoc J, 122, p. 149-50
  8. Edwards C, Gard PR, Handley SL, Hunter M, Whittington RM (1982) "Distalgesic and ethanol-impaired function." Lancet, 2, p. 384
  9. Kiplinger GF, Sokol G, Rodda BE (1974) "Effect of combined alcohol and propoxyphene on human performance." Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther, 212, p. 175-80
View all 9 references

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Moderate

diphenhydrAMINE food

Applies to: acetaminophen / diphenhydramine / phenylephrine

GENERALLY AVOID: Use of anticholinergic agents with alcohol may result in sufficient impairment of attention so as to render driving and operating machinery more hazardous. In addition, the potential for abuse may be increased with the combination. The mechanism of interaction is not established but may involve additive depressant effects on the central nervous system. No effect of oral propantheline or atropine on blood alcohol levels was observed in healthy volunteers when administered before ingestion of a standard ethanol load. However, one study found impairment of attention in subjects given atropine 0.5 mg or glycopyrrolate 1 mg in combination with alcohol.

MANAGEMENT: Alcohol should generally be avoided during therapy with anticholinergic agents. Patients should be counseled to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until they know how these agents affect them.

References

  1. Linnoila M (1973) "Drug effects on psychomotor skills related to driving: interaction of atropine, glycopyrrhonium and alcohol." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 6, p. 107-12

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Moderate

phenylephrine food

Applies to: acetaminophen / diphenhydramine / phenylephrine

MONITOR: Coadministration of two or more sympathomimetic agents may increase the risk of adverse effects such as nervousness, irritability, and increased heart rate. Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, particularly amphetamines, can potentiate the adrenergic response to vasopressors and other sympathomimetic agents. Additive increases in blood pressure and heart rate may occur due to enhanced peripheral sympathetic activity.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if two or more sympathomimetic agents are coadministered. Pulse and blood pressure should be closely monitored.

References

  1. Rosenblatt JE, Lake CR, van Kammen DP, Ziegler MG, Bunney WE Jr (1979) "Interactions of amphetamine, pimozide, and lithium on plasma norepineophrine and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase in schizophrenic patients." Psychiatry Res, 1, p. 45-52
  2. Cavanaugh JH, Griffith JD, Oates JA (1970) "Effect of amphetamine on the pressor response to tyramine: formation of p-hydroxynorephedrine from amphetamine in man." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 11, p. 656
  3. (2001) "Product Information. Adderall (amphetamine-dextroamphetamine)." Shire Richwood Pharmaceutical Company Inc
  4. (2001) "Product Information. Tenuate (diethylpropion)." Aventis Pharmaceuticals
  5. (2001) "Product Information. Sanorex (mazindol)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals
  6. (2001) "Product Information. Focalin (dexmethylphenidate)." Mikart Inc
  7. (2002) "Product Information. Strattera (atomoxetine)." Lilly, Eli and Company
View all 7 references

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Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

See also

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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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