Skip to main content

Drug Interactions between Dolophine and Ultram

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

Edit list (add/remove drugs)

Interactions between your drugs

Major

methadone traMADol

Applies to: Dolophine (methadone) and Ultram (tramadol)

GENERALLY AVOID: Concomitant use of tramadol with other central nervous system (CNS) depressants including other opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. The risk of hypotension and seizures may also be increased. In patients who have been previously dependent on or chronically using opioids, tramadol can reinitiate physical dependence or precipitate withdrawal symptoms.

MONITOR CLOSELY: Methadone may cause dose-related prolongation of the QT interval. Tramadol may also prolong the QT interval, and theoretically, coadministration of multiple agents that can prolong the QT interval may result in additive effects and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death. High dosages of methadone alone have been associated with QT interval prolongation and torsade de pointes. In a retrospective study of 17 methadone-treated patients who developed torsade de pointes, the mean daily dose was approximately 400 mg (range 65 to 1000 mg) and the mean corrected QT (QTc) interval on presentation was 615 msec. The daily methadone dose correlated positively with the QTc interval. Fourteen patients had at least one predisposing risk factor for arrhythmia (hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, concomitant use of a medication known to prolong the QT interval or inhibit the metabolism of methadone, and structural heart disease), but these were not predictive of QTc interval. It is not known if any of the patients had congenital long QT syndrome. The effect of tramadol on the QT interval was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, 4-way crossover, placebo- and positive-controlled, multiple-dose ECG study of 62 healthy subjects. The maximum placebo-adjusted mean change from baseline in the Fridericia-corrected QT interval (QTcF) was 5.5 msec in the 400 mg/day treatment arm (100 mg every 6 hours on days 1 through 3 with a single 100 mg dose on day 4) and 6.5 msec in the 600 mg/day treatment arm (150 mg every 6 hours on days 1 through 3 with a single 150 mg dose on day 4), both occurring at the 8-hour time point.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of tramadol with methadone should generally be avoided. If coadministration is necessary, the dosage and duration of each drug should be limited to the minimum required to achieve desired clinical effect. Patients should be monitored closely for development of seizures, respiratory depression and sedation, and advised to avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until they know how these medications affect them. In addition, tramadol should not be used in opioid-dependent patients, and use in patients who are chronically on opioids is also not recommended. Tramadol is contraindicated in patients with acute opioid intoxication. Particular care should be exercised in patients suspected to be at an increased risk of torsade de pointes. Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope.

References

  1. "Product Information. Ultram (tramadol)." McNeil Pharmaceutical PROD (2001):
  2. Krantz MJ, Lewkowiez L, Hays H, et al. "Torsade de pointes associated with very-high-dose methadone." Ann Intern Med 137 (2002): 501-4
  3. Walker PW, Klein D, Kasza L "High dose methadone and ventricular arrhythmias: a report of three cases." Pain 103 (2003): 321-4
  4. Krantz MJ, Kutinsky IB, Robertson AD, Mehler PS "Dose-related effects of methadone on QT prolongation in a series of patients with torsade de pointes." Pharmacotherapy 23 (2003): 802-5
  5. De Bels D, Staroukine M, Devriendt J "Torsades de pointes due to methadone." Ann Intern Med 139 (2003): E156
  6. Krantz MJ, Mehler PS "Synthetic opioids and QT prolongation." Arch Intern Med 163 (2003): 1615; author reply 1615
  7. Sala M, Anguera I, Cervantes M "Torsade de pointes due to methadone." Ann Intern Med 139 (2003): W64
  8. Mokwe EO, Ositadinma O "Torsade de pointes due to methadone." Ann Intern Med 139 (2003): W64
  9. Gil M, Sala M, Anguera I, et al. "QT prolongation and Torsades de Pointes in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus and treated with methadone." Am J Cardiol 92 (2003): 995-7
  10. Martell BA, Arnsten JH, Krantz MJ, Gourevitch MN "Impact of methadone treatment on cardiac repolarization and conduction in opioid users." Am J Cardiol 95 (2005): 915-8
  11. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  12. Canadian Pharmacists Association "e-CPS. http://www.pharmacists.ca/function/Subscriptions/ecps.cfm?link=eCPS_quikLink" (2006):
  13. Ehret GB, Desmeules JA, Broers B "Methadone-associated long QT syndrome: improving pharmacotherapy for dependence on illegal opioids and lessons learned for pharmacology." Expert Opin Drug Saf 6 (2007): 289-303
  14. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
  15. EMA. European Medicines Agency. European Union "EMA - List of medicines under additional monitoring. http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/index.jsp?curl=pages/regulation/document_listing/document_listing_000366.jsp&mid=WC0b01ac058067c852" (2013):
View all 15 references

Switch to consumer interaction data

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

methadone food

Applies to: Dolophine (methadone)

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of methadone. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In 8 study subjects stabilized on methadone maintenance treatment, ingestion of regular strength grapefruit juice (200 mL one-half hour before and 200 mL simultaneously with the daily methadone dose) for five days resulted in an approximately 17% mean increase in methadone peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) and a 14% mean decrease in apparent clearance for both the R(+) and S(-) enantiomers. Grapefruit juice did not affect the time to peak level (Tmax), terminal half-life, or apparent volume of distribution of methadone. No signs or symptoms of methadone toxicity or changes in intensity of withdrawal symptoms were reported in the study.

MANAGEMENT: Given the interindividual variability in the pharmacokinetics of methadone, a more significant interaction with grapefruit juice in certain patients cannot be ruled out. Patients treated with methadone should preferably avoid or limit the consumption of grapefruit juice, particularly during the induction of maintenance treatment.

References

  1. Iribarne C, Berthou F, Baird S, Dreano Y, Picart D, Bail JP, Beaune P, Menez JF "Involvement of cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme in the N-demethylation of methadone in human liver microsomes." Chem Res Toxicol 9 (1996): 365-73
  2. Oda Y, Kharasch ED "Metabolism of methadone and levo-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) by human intestinal cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4): potential contribution of intestinal metabolism to presystemic clearance and bioactivation." J Pharmacol Exp Ther 298 (2001): 1021-32
  3. Benmebarek M, Devaud C, Gex-Fabry M, et al. "Effects of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of the enantiomers of methadone." Clin Pharmacol Ther 76 (2004): 55-63
  4. Foster DJ, Somogyi AA, Bochner F "Methadone N-demethylation in human liver microsomes: lack of stereoselectivity and involvement of CYP3A4." Br J Clin Pharmacol 47 (1999): 403-12
View all 4 references

Switch to consumer interaction data

Moderate

traMADol food

Applies to: Ultram (tramadol)

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of CNS-active agents. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving CNS-active agents should be warned of this interaction and advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

References

  1. Warrington SJ, Ankier SI, Turner P "Evaluation of possible interactions between ethanol and trazodone or amitriptyline." Neuropsychobiology 15 (1986): 31-7
  2. Gilman AG, eds., Nies AS, Rall TW, Taylor P "Goodman and Gilman's the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics." New York, NY: Pergamon Press Inc. (1990):
  3. "Product Information. Fycompa (perampanel)." Eisai Inc (2012):
  4. "Product Information. Rexulti (brexpiprazole)." Otsuka American Pharmaceuticals Inc (2015):
View all 4 references

Switch to consumer interaction data

Moderate

methadone food

Applies to: Dolophine (methadone)

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

Switch to consumer interaction data

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

Report options

Loading...
QR code containing a link to this page

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.

Medical Disclaimer