Can you take Alfenta with Amyl nitrite?
1 drug interaction and 41 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:
- Alfenta (alfentanil)
- amyl nitrite
Drug interactions
Moderate drug interactions
Moderate:
ALfentanil amyl nitrite
Applies to: Alfenta (alfentanil) and amyl nitrite
ALfentanil and amyl nitrite may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure.
You may experience headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, or changes in pulse or heart rate, especially when treatment is started, the dose is changed, or treatment is restarted.
Tell your doctor promptly if these symptoms occur and seek urgent medical help if you faint or have severe dizziness.
Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you, and use caution when getting up from a sitting or lying position.
It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Food/lifestyle interactions
Major food/lifestyle interactions
Major:
ALfentanil Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: Alfenta (alfentanil)
Do not use alcohol or medications that contain alcohol while you are receiving treatment with ALfentanil.
This may increase nervous system side effects such as:
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- lightheadedness
- difficulty concentrating
- impairment in thinking and judgment
In severe cases, low blood pressure, respiratory distress, fainting, coma, or even death may occur.
You should also avoid consuming grapefruit and grapefruit juice, as this may increase the blood levels and effects of ALfentanil.
If you are taking an extended-release formulation, the pill should be swallowed whole (i.E., do not crush, chew, or divide the pill). Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions on how to take this or other medications you are prescribed.
Do not exceed the dose of ALfentanil prescribed for you or use the medication more frequently or for a longer duration than prescribed by your doctor.
Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you.
It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medication without first talking to your doctor.
Major:
ALfentanil Alcohol (Ethanol)
Applies to: Alfenta (alfentanil)
Do not use ethanol (alcohol) while you are receiving treatment with ALfentanil.
This may increase nervous system side effects such as:
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- lightheadedness
- difficulty concentrating
- impairment in thinking and judgment
In severe cases, low blood pressure, respiratory distress, fainting, coma, or even death may occur.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions on how to take this or other medications you are prescribed.
Do not use more than the recommended dose of ALfentanil and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you.
It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medication without first talking to your doctor.
Moderate food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate:
amyl nitrite Alcohol (Ethanol)
Applies to: amyl nitrite
Ethanol and amyl nitrite may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure.
You may experience headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, or changes in pulse or heart rate, especially when treatment is started, the dose is changed, or treatment is restarted.
Tell your doctor promptly if these symptoms occur and seek urgent medical help if you faint or have severe dizziness.
Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you, and use caution when getting up from a sitting or lying position.
It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Disease interactions
38 potential interactions Applies to: 30 conditions, including Heart Failure, Heart Attack, Seizures, Arrhythmia, and Hypotension.
Acute Alcohol Intoxication
Major:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a major potential interaction with Acute Alcohol Intoxication.
The use of opiate agonists is contraindicated in patients with acute alcohol intoxication exhibiting depressed vital signs. The central nervous system depressant effects of opiate agonists may be additive with those of alcohol. Severe respiratory depression and death may occur. Therapy with opiate agonists should be administered cautiously in patients who might be prone to acute alcohol intake.
Adrenal Insufficiency
Moderate:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a moderate potential interaction with Adrenal Insufficiency.
Patients with Addison's disease may have increased risk of respiratory depression and prolonged CNS depression associated with the use of narcotic (opioid) analgesic agents. Conversely, these agents may cause or potentiate adrenal insufficiency. Therapy with opioids should be administered cautiously and initiated at reduced dosages in patients with adrenocortical insufficiency. Subsequent doses should be titrated based on individual response rather than a fixed dosing schedule.
Altered Consciousness
Major:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a major potential interaction with Altered Consciousness.
Opiate agonists may produce significant central nervous system and respiratory depression of varying duration, particularly when given in high dosages and/or by rapid intravenous administration. Apnea may result from decreased respiratory drive as well as increased airway resistance, and rigidity of respiratory muscles may occur during rapid IV administration or when these agents are used in the induction of anesthesia. At therapeutic analgesic dosages, the respiratory effects are usually not clinically important except in patients with preexisting pulmonary impairment. Therapy with opiate agonists should be avoided or administered with extreme caution and initiated at reduced dosages in patients with severe CNS depression; sleep apnea; hypoxia, anoxia, or hypercapnia; upper airway obstruction; chronic pulmonary insufficiency; a limited ventilatory reserve; or other respiratory disorders. In the presence of excessive respiratory secretions, the use of opiate agonists may also be problematic because they decrease ciliary activity and reduce the cough reflex. Caution is also advised in patients who may be at increased risk for respiratory depression, such as comatose patients or those with head injury, intracranial lesions, or intracranial hypertension. Clinical monitoring of pulmonary function is recommended, and equipment for resuscitation should be immediately available if parenteral or neuraxial routes are used. Naloxone may be administered to reverse clinically significant respiratory depression, which may be prolonged depending on the opioid agent, cumulative dose, and route of administration.
Anemia
Major:
amyl nitrite
Amyl nitrite has a major potential interaction with Anemia.
Some manufacturers and medical references consider the use of nitrates and nitrites to be contraindicated in patients with severe anemia. Nitrates and nitrites can cause methemoglobinemia, primarily in high-dose intravenous therapy or acute poisoning and in patients with NADH reductase deficiency. However, elevations of methemoglobin may also occur with commonly used dosages. While probably not of routine clinical significance, the increases may be important in certain patient populations such as those with coronary insufficiency or anemia.
Aortic Stenosis
Major:
amyl nitrite
Amyl nitrite has a major potential interaction with Aortic Stenosis.
Organic nitrates and nitrites may cause severe hypotension, syncope and shock, even with small doses. Hypotension induced by these agents may be accompanied by paradoxical bradycardia and increased angina pectoris. Therapy with nitrates and nitrites should be administered cautiously in patients who are volume-depleted or hypotensive (e.g., systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg) or who, because of inadequate circulation to the brain or to other vital organs, would be unusually compromised by undue hypotension. Patients should be in a sitting or recumbent position during and immediately after drug administration, and monitored for symptoms of severe hypotension such as nausea, vomiting, weakness, pallor, perspiration, and syncope. Nitrate or nitrite therapy is considered contraindicated in patients with acute circulatory failure or shock.
Arrhythmia
Moderate:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a moderate potential interaction with Arrhythmia.
Opiate agonists have cholinergic activity. Large doses and/or rapid intravenous administration may produce bradycardia and arrhythmias via stimulation of medullary vagal nuclei. Therapy with opiate agonists should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of arrhythmias. Clinical monitoring of cardiovascular status is recommended during therapy.
Asphyxia
Major:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a major potential interaction with Asphyxia.
Opiate agonists may produce significant central nervous system and respiratory depression of varying duration, particularly when given in high dosages and/or by rapid intravenous administration. Apnea may result from decreased respiratory drive as well as increased airway resistance, and rigidity of respiratory muscles may occur during rapid IV administration or when these agents are used in the induction of anesthesia. At therapeutic analgesic dosages, the respiratory effects are usually not clinically important except in patients with preexisting pulmonary impairment. Therapy with opiate agonists should be avoided or administered with extreme caution and initiated at reduced dosages in patients with severe CNS depression; sleep apnea; hypoxia, anoxia, or hypercapnia; upper airway obstruction; chronic pulmonary insufficiency; a limited ventilatory reserve; or other respiratory disorders. In the presence of excessive respiratory secretions, the use of opiate agonists may also be problematic because they decrease ciliary activity and reduce the cough reflex. Caution is also advised in patients who may be at increased risk for respiratory depression, such as comatose patients or those with head injury, intracranial lesions, or intracranial hypertension. Clinical monitoring of pulmonary function is recommended, and equipment for resuscitation should be immediately available if parenteral or neuraxial routes are used. Naloxone may be administered to reverse clinically significant respiratory depression, which may be prolonged depending on the opioid agent, cumulative dose, and route of administration.
Brain Tumor
Major:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a major potential interaction with Brain Tumor.
Opiate agonists may produce significant central nervous system and respiratory depression of varying duration, particularly when given in high dosages and/or by rapid intravenous administration. Apnea may result from decreased respiratory drive as well as increased airway resistance, and rigidity of respiratory muscles may occur during rapid IV administration or when these agents are used in the induction of anesthesia. At therapeutic analgesic dosages, the respiratory effects are usually not clinically important except in patients with preexisting pulmonary impairment. Therapy with opiate agonists should be avoided or administered with extreme caution and initiated at reduced dosages in patients with severe CNS depression; sleep apnea; hypoxia, anoxia, or hypercapnia; upper airway obstruction; chronic pulmonary insufficiency; a limited ventilatory reserve; or other respiratory disorders. In the presence of excessive respiratory secretions, the use of opiate agonists may also be problematic because they decrease ciliary activity and reduce the cough reflex. Caution is also advised in patients who may be at increased risk for respiratory depression, such as comatose patients or those with head injury, intracranial lesions, or intracranial hypertension. Clinical monitoring of pulmonary function is recommended, and equipment for resuscitation should be immediately available if parenteral or neuraxial routes are used. Naloxone may be administered to reverse clinically significant respiratory depression, which may be prolonged depending on the opioid agent, cumulative dose, and route of administration.
Major:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a major potential interaction with Brain Tumor.
The hypoventilation associated with administration of opiate agonists, particularly by the intravenous route, can induce cerebral hypoxia and vasodilatation with resultant increase in intracranial pressure. Opiate agonists should not be used in patients with suspected or known head injury or increased intracranial pressure. Also, clinicians treating such patients should be aware that opiate agonists may interfere with the evaluation of CNS function, especially with respect to consciousness levels, respiratory status, and pupillary changes.
Major:
amyl nitrite
Amyl nitrite has a major potential interaction with Brain Tumor.
Organic nitrates and nitrites can increase cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously, if at all, in patients with or at risk for intracranial hypertension, including those with cerebral hemorrhage, intracranial lesions, or recent head trauma.
Cerebral Vascular Disorder
Major:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a major potential interaction with Cerebral Vascular Disorder.
The hypoventilation associated with administration of opiate agonists, particularly by the intravenous route, can induce cerebral hypoxia and vasodilatation with resultant increase in intracranial pressure. Opiate agonists should not be used in patients with suspected or known head injury or increased intracranial pressure. Also, clinicians treating such patients should be aware that opiate agonists may interfere with the evaluation of CNS function, especially with respect to consciousness levels, respiratory status, and pupillary changes.
Major:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a major potential interaction with Cerebral Vascular Disorder.
Opiate agonists may produce significant central nervous system and respiratory depression of varying duration, particularly when given in high dosages and/or by rapid intravenous administration. Apnea may result from decreased respiratory drive as well as increased airway resistance, and rigidity of respiratory muscles may occur during rapid IV administration or when these agents are used in the induction of anesthesia. At therapeutic analgesic dosages, the respiratory effects are usually not clinically important except in patients with preexisting pulmonary impairment. Therapy with opiate agonists should be avoided or administered with extreme caution and initiated at reduced dosages in patients with severe CNS depression; sleep apnea; hypoxia, anoxia, or hypercapnia; upper airway obstruction; chronic pulmonary insufficiency; a limited ventilatory reserve; or other respiratory disorders. In the presence of excessive respiratory secretions, the use of opiate agonists may also be problematic because they decrease ciliary activity and reduce the cough reflex. Caution is also advised in patients who may be at increased risk for respiratory depression, such as comatose patients or those with head injury, intracranial lesions, or intracranial hypertension. Clinical monitoring of pulmonary function is recommended, and equipment for resuscitation should be immediately available if parenteral or neuraxial routes are used. Naloxone may be administered to reverse clinically significant respiratory depression, which may be prolonged depending on the opioid agent, cumulative dose, and route of administration.
Cerebrovascular Insufficiency
Major:
amyl nitrite
Amyl nitrite has a major potential interaction with Cerebrovascular Insufficiency.
Organic nitrates and nitrites may cause severe hypotension, syncope and shock, even with small doses. Hypotension induced by these agents may be accompanied by paradoxical bradycardia and increased angina pectoris. Therapy with nitrates and nitrites should be administered cautiously in patients who are volume-depleted or hypotensive (e.g., systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg) or who, because of inadequate circulation to the brain or to other vital organs, would be unusually compromised by undue hypotension. Patients should be in a sitting or recumbent position during and immediately after drug administration, and monitored for symptoms of severe hypotension such as nausea, vomiting, weakness, pallor, perspiration, and syncope. Nitrate or nitrite therapy is considered contraindicated in patients with acute circulatory failure or shock.
Constrictive Pericarditis
Major:
amyl nitrite
Amyl nitrite has a major potential interaction with Constrictive Pericarditis.
Organic nitrates and nitrites may cause severe hypotension, syncope and shock, even with small doses. Hypotension induced by these agents may be accompanied by paradoxical bradycardia and increased angina pectoris. Therapy with nitrates and nitrites should be administered cautiously in patients who are volume-depleted or hypotensive (e.g., systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg) or who, because of inadequate circulation to the brain or to other vital organs, would be unusually compromised by undue hypotension. Patients should be in a sitting or recumbent position during and immediately after drug administration, and monitored for symptoms of severe hypotension such as nausea, vomiting, weakness, pallor, perspiration, and syncope. Nitrate or nitrite therapy is considered contraindicated in patients with acute circulatory failure or shock.
Dehydration
Major:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a major potential interaction with Dehydration.
Opiate agonists can induce vasodilation and significant hypotension, particularly when given in high dosages and/or by rapid intravenous administration. Opiate analgesics cause vasodilatation that may exacerbate hypotension and hypoperfusion and, therefore, are contraindicated in circulatory shock. At therapeutic analgesic dosages, ambulatory patients are more likely to experience dizziness and hypotension than patients who are confined to bed. However, orthostatic hypotension may occur in supine patients upon rising. Therapy with opiate agonists should be administered cautiously and initiated at reduced dosages in patients with hypovolemia, or a predisposition to hypotension. When given by intramuscular or subcutaneous administration, clinicians should also be aware that impaired perfusion in these patients may prevent complete absorption of the drug. With repeated injections, an excessive amount may be absorbed suddenly if normal circulation is reestablished.
Major:
amyl nitrite
Amyl nitrite has a major potential interaction with Dehydration.
Organic nitrates and nitrites may cause severe hypotension, syncope and shock, even with small doses. Hypotension induced by these agents may be accompanied by paradoxical bradycardia and increased angina pectoris. Therapy with nitrates and nitrites should be administered cautiously in patients who are volume-depleted or hypotensive (e.g., systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg) or who, because of inadequate circulation to the brain or to other vital organs, would be unusually compromised by undue hypotension. Patients should be in a sitting or recumbent position during and immediately after drug administration, and monitored for symptoms of severe hypotension such as nausea, vomiting, weakness, pallor, perspiration, and syncope. Nitrate or nitrite therapy is considered contraindicated in patients with acute circulatory failure or shock.
Gastrointestinal Obstruction
Major:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a major potential interaction with Gastrointestinal Obstruction.
Opioid analgesics are contraindicated in patients with known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction, including paralytic ileus.
Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension
Minor:
amyl nitrite
Amyl nitrite has a minor potential interaction with Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension.
Some medical references state that organic nitrates and nitrites may increase intraocular pressure and should be used with caution in patients with glaucoma. However, the effect on intraocular pressure is variable and brief, and there is no evidence that these drugs precipitate narrow-angle glaucoma. Amyl nitrate typically may cause a slight rise of 3+ mm for several seconds followed by a fall in intraocular pressure for 10 to 20 minutes, the latter secondary to a fall in blood pressure. Nitroglycerin rarely produces ocular side effects, and oral nitroglycerin appears to have few to no significant ocular side effects.
Head Injury
Major:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a major potential interaction with Head Injury.
The hypoventilation associated with administration of opiate agonists, particularly by the intravenous route, can induce cerebral hypoxia and vasodilatation with resultant increase in intracranial pressure. Opiate agonists should not be used in patients with suspected or known head injury or increased intracranial pressure. Also, clinicians treating such patients should be aware that opiate agonists may interfere with the evaluation of CNS function, especially with respect to consciousness levels, respiratory status, and pupillary changes.
Major:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a major potential interaction with Head Injury.
Opiate agonists may produce significant central nervous system and respiratory depression of varying duration, particularly when given in high dosages and/or by rapid intravenous administration. Apnea may result from decreased respiratory drive as well as increased airway resistance, and rigidity of respiratory muscles may occur during rapid IV administration or when these agents are used in the induction of anesthesia. At therapeutic analgesic dosages, the respiratory effects are usually not clinically important except in patients with preexisting pulmonary impairment. Therapy with opiate agonists should be avoided or administered with extreme caution and initiated at reduced dosages in patients with severe CNS depression; sleep apnea; hypoxia, anoxia, or hypercapnia; upper airway obstruction; chronic pulmonary insufficiency; a limited ventilatory reserve; or other respiratory disorders. In the presence of excessive respiratory secretions, the use of opiate agonists may also be problematic because they decrease ciliary activity and reduce the cough reflex. Caution is also advised in patients who may be at increased risk for respiratory depression, such as comatose patients or those with head injury, intracranial lesions, or intracranial hypertension. Clinical monitoring of pulmonary function is recommended, and equipment for resuscitation should be immediately available if parenteral or neuraxial routes are used. Naloxone may be administered to reverse clinically significant respiratory depression, which may be prolonged depending on the opioid agent, cumulative dose, and route of administration.
Major:
amyl nitrite
Amyl nitrite has a major potential interaction with Head Injury.
Organic nitrates and nitrites can increase cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously, if at all, in patients with or at risk for intracranial hypertension, including those with cerebral hemorrhage, intracranial lesions, or recent head trauma.
Heart Attack
Major:
amyl nitrite
Amyl nitrite has a major potential interaction with Heart Attack.
The benefits of organic nitrates and nitrites in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or congestive heart failure have not been established and its use is not recommended in these settings. If used, it should be accompanied by careful clinical and hemodynamic monitoring to avoid the hazards of systemic hypotension and tachycardia, which in AMI can exacerbate myocardial ischemia. In general, oral or long-acting formulations of these drugs should not be used in the early management of AMI because of the difficulty in precisely controlling and rapidly terminating their hemodynamic effects should adverse reactions occur. Sublingual and other immediate- onset nitrates or nitrites should typically be avoided in suspected AMI with marked bradycardia or tachycardia, and should be used with extreme caution, if at all, in patients with right ventricular or inferior wall infarction. Rarely, sublingual nitroglycerin has produced hypotension accompanied by paradoxical bradycardia in patients with AMI and especially right ventricular infarction. The latter group of patients are also particularly dependent on adequate right ventricular preload to maintain cardiac output and can experience profound hypotension with nitrate or nitrite administration due to reduction of right ventricular preload.
Heart Failure
Major:
amyl nitrite
Amyl nitrite has a major potential interaction with Heart Failure.
The benefits of organic nitrates and nitrites in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or congestive heart failure have not been established and its use is not recommended in these settings. If used, it should be accompanied by careful clinical and hemodynamic monitoring to avoid the hazards of systemic hypotension and tachycardia, which in AMI can exacerbate myocardial ischemia. In general, oral or long-acting formulations of these drugs should not be used in the early management of AMI because of the difficulty in precisely controlling and rapidly terminating their hemodynamic effects should adverse reactions occur. Sublingual and other immediate- onset nitrates or nitrites should typically be avoided in suspected AMI with marked bradycardia or tachycardia, and should be used with extreme caution, if at all, in patients with right ventricular or inferior wall infarction. Rarely, sublingual nitroglycerin has produced hypotension accompanied by paradoxical bradycardia in patients with AMI and especially right ventricular infarction. The latter group of patients are also particularly dependent on adequate right ventricular preload to maintain cardiac output and can experience profound hypotension with nitrate or nitrite administration due to reduction of right ventricular preload.
Hemodialysis
Major:
amyl nitrite
Amyl nitrite has a major potential interaction with Hemodialysis.
The combined effect of organic nitrates or nitrites with hemodialysis, which often lowers blood pressure, can cause life-threatening hypotension. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients requiring hemodialysis. The medication should be withheld before undergoing dialysis, and hemodynamic stability should be established prior to resumption of medication following dialysis. Nitroglycerin and isosorbide dinitrate are moderately dialyzed.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
Major:
amyl nitrite
Amyl nitrite has a major potential interaction with Hemorrhagic Stroke.
Organic nitrates and nitrites can increase cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously, if at all, in patients with or at risk for intracranial hypertension, including those with cerebral hemorrhage, intracranial lesions, or recent head trauma.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Moderate:
amyl nitrite
Amyl nitrite has a moderate potential interaction with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
Organic nitrates and nitrites may aggravate the angina associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and should be administered cautiously in patients with this condition.
Hypotension
Major:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a major potential interaction with Hypotension.
Opiate agonists can induce vasodilation and significant hypotension, particularly when given in high dosages and/or by rapid intravenous administration. Opiate analgesics cause vasodilatation that may exacerbate hypotension and hypoperfusion and, therefore, are contraindicated in circulatory shock. At therapeutic analgesic dosages, ambulatory patients are more likely to experience dizziness and hypotension than patients who are confined to bed. However, orthostatic hypotension may occur in supine patients upon rising. Therapy with opiate agonists should be administered cautiously and initiated at reduced dosages in patients with hypovolemia, or a predisposition to hypotension. When given by intramuscular or subcutaneous administration, clinicians should also be aware that impaired perfusion in these patients may prevent complete absorption of the drug. With repeated injections, an excessive amount may be absorbed suddenly if normal circulation is reestablished.
Major:
amyl nitrite
Amyl nitrite has a major potential interaction with Hypotension.
Organic nitrates and nitrites may cause severe hypotension, syncope and shock, even with small doses. Hypotension induced by these agents may be accompanied by paradoxical bradycardia and increased angina pectoris. Therapy with nitrates and nitrites should be administered cautiously in patients who are volume-depleted or hypotensive (e.g., systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg) or who, because of inadequate circulation to the brain or to other vital organs, would be unusually compromised by undue hypotension. Patients should be in a sitting or recumbent position during and immediately after drug administration, and monitored for symptoms of severe hypotension such as nausea, vomiting, weakness, pallor, perspiration, and syncope. Nitrate or nitrite therapy is considered contraindicated in patients with acute circulatory failure or shock.
Liver Disease
Moderate:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.
Narcotic (opioid) analgesic agents are extensively metabolized by the liver, and several of them (e.g., codeine, hydrocodone, meperidine, methadone, morphine, propoxyphene) have active metabolites that are further converted to inactive substances. The serum concentrations of these agents and their metabolites may be increased and the half-lives prolonged in patients with impaired hepatic function. Therapy with opioids should be administered cautiously and initiated at reduced dosages in patients with liver disease. Subsequent doses should be titrated based on individual response rather than a fixed dosing schedule.
Prematurity/Underweight in Infancy
Major:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a major potential interaction with Prematurity/Underweight in Infancy.
The use of narcotic (opioid) analgesic agents is contraindicated in premature infants. These agents may cross the immature blood-brain barrier to a greater extent than in adults, resulting in disproportionate respiratory depression.
Pseudotumor Cerebri
Major:
amyl nitrite
Amyl nitrite has a major potential interaction with Pseudotumor Cerebri.
Organic nitrates and nitrites can increase cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously, if at all, in patients with or at risk for intracranial hypertension, including those with cerebral hemorrhage, intracranial lesions, or recent head trauma.
Pulmonary Impairment
Major:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a major potential interaction with Pulmonary Impairment.
Opiate agonists may produce significant central nervous system and respiratory depression of varying duration, particularly when given in high dosages and/or by rapid intravenous administration. Apnea may result from decreased respiratory drive as well as increased airway resistance, and rigidity of respiratory muscles may occur during rapid IV administration or when these agents are used in the induction of anesthesia. At therapeutic analgesic dosages, the respiratory effects are usually not clinically important except in patients with preexisting pulmonary impairment. Therapy with opiate agonists should be avoided or administered with extreme caution and initiated at reduced dosages in patients with severe CNS depression; sleep apnea; hypoxia, anoxia, or hypercapnia; upper airway obstruction; chronic pulmonary insufficiency; a limited ventilatory reserve; or other respiratory disorders. In the presence of excessive respiratory secretions, the use of opiate agonists may also be problematic because they decrease ciliary activity and reduce the cough reflex. Caution is also advised in patients who may be at increased risk for respiratory depression, such as comatose patients or those with head injury, intracranial lesions, or intracranial hypertension. Clinical monitoring of pulmonary function is recommended, and equipment for resuscitation should be immediately available if parenteral or neuraxial routes are used. Naloxone may be administered to reverse clinically significant respiratory depression, which may be prolonged depending on the opioid agent, cumulative dose, and route of administration.
Renal Dysfunction
Moderate:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.
Although narcotic (opioid) analgesic agents are generally metabolized by the liver, renal impairment can alter the elimination of these agents and their metabolites (some of which are pharmacologically active), resulting in drug accumulation and increased risk of toxicity. Therapy with opioids should be administered cautiously and initiated at reduced dosages in patients with significantly impaired renal function. Subsequent doses should be titrated based on individual response rather than a fixed dosing schedule.
Respiratory Arrest
Major:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a major potential interaction with Respiratory Arrest.
Opiate agonists may produce significant central nervous system and respiratory depression of varying duration, particularly when given in high dosages and/or by rapid intravenous administration. Apnea may result from decreased respiratory drive as well as increased airway resistance, and rigidity of respiratory muscles may occur during rapid IV administration or when these agents are used in the induction of anesthesia. At therapeutic analgesic dosages, the respiratory effects are usually not clinically important except in patients with preexisting pulmonary impairment. Therapy with opiate agonists should be avoided or administered with extreme caution and initiated at reduced dosages in patients with severe CNS depression; sleep apnea; hypoxia, anoxia, or hypercapnia; upper airway obstruction; chronic pulmonary insufficiency; a limited ventilatory reserve; or other respiratory disorders. In the presence of excessive respiratory secretions, the use of opiate agonists may also be problematic because they decrease ciliary activity and reduce the cough reflex. Caution is also advised in patients who may be at increased risk for respiratory depression, such as comatose patients or those with head injury, intracranial lesions, or intracranial hypertension. Clinical monitoring of pulmonary function is recommended, and equipment for resuscitation should be immediately available if parenteral or neuraxial routes are used. Naloxone may be administered to reverse clinically significant respiratory depression, which may be prolonged depending on the opioid agent, cumulative dose, and route of administration.
Seizures
Moderate:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a moderate potential interaction with Seizures.
Narcotic (opioid) analgesic agents may increase the frequency of seizures in patients with seizure disorders, may increase the risk of seizures occurring in other clinical settings associated with seizures, and, at higher dosages, have been reported to induce seizures in patients without history of seizures. Patients with history of seizure disorders should be regularly evaluated for worsened seizure control during therapy. Prolonged meperidine use may increase the risk of toxicity (e.g., seizures) from the accumulation of the active metabolite (normeperidine).
Shock
Major:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a major potential interaction with Shock.
Opiate agonists can induce vasodilation and significant hypotension, particularly when given in high dosages and/or by rapid intravenous administration. Opiate analgesics cause vasodilatation that may exacerbate hypotension and hypoperfusion and, therefore, are contraindicated in circulatory shock. At therapeutic analgesic dosages, ambulatory patients are more likely to experience dizziness and hypotension than patients who are confined to bed. However, orthostatic hypotension may occur in supine patients upon rising. Therapy with opiate agonists should be administered cautiously and initiated at reduced dosages in patients with hypovolemia, or a predisposition to hypotension. When given by intramuscular or subcutaneous administration, clinicians should also be aware that impaired perfusion in these patients may prevent complete absorption of the drug. With repeated injections, an excessive amount may be absorbed suddenly if normal circulation is reestablished.
Major:
amyl nitrite
Amyl nitrite has a major potential interaction with Shock.
Organic nitrates and nitrites may cause severe hypotension, syncope and shock, even with small doses. Hypotension induced by these agents may be accompanied by paradoxical bradycardia and increased angina pectoris. Therapy with nitrates and nitrites should be administered cautiously in patients who are volume-depleted or hypotensive (e.g., systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg) or who, because of inadequate circulation to the brain or to other vital organs, would be unusually compromised by undue hypotension. Patients should be in a sitting or recumbent position during and immediately after drug administration, and monitored for symptoms of severe hypotension such as nausea, vomiting, weakness, pallor, perspiration, and syncope. Nitrate or nitrite therapy is considered contraindicated in patients with acute circulatory failure or shock.
Urinary Retention
Moderate:
Alfenta
The ALfentanil in Alfenta has a moderate potential interaction with Urinary Retention.
Narcotic (opioid) analgesic agents may inhibit the urinary voiding reflex and increase the tone of the vesical sphincter in the bladder. Acute urinary retention requiring catheterization may occur, particularly in patients with prostatic hypertrophy or urethral stricture and in older adult patients. These agents may also decrease urine production via direct effects on the kidney and central stimulation of the release of vasopressin. Therapy with opioids should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to urinary retention and/or oliguria. The effects on smooth muscle tone appear to be the most pronounced with morphine.
More resources
Alfenta
A total of 667 drugs are known to interact with Alfenta.
- Alfenta is in the drug class Opioids.
- Alfenta is used to treat the following conditions:
amyl nitrite
A total of 218 drugs are known to interact with amyl nitrite.
- Amyl nitrite is in the drug class antianginal agents.
- Amyl nitrite is used to treat the following conditions:
Drug Interaction Classification
| Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
| Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
| 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. | |
| No interaction information available. |
Further information
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