Mepergan Fortis and Alcohol/Food Interactions
There are 3 alcohol/food/lifestyle interactions with Mepergan Fortis (meperidine / promethazine).
Meperidine Alcohol (Ethanol)
Moderate Drug Interaction
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
- 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
- Hoffman JC, Smith TC (1970) "The respiratory effects of meperidine and propiomazine in man." Anesthesiology, 32, p. 325-31
- Stambaugh JE, Wainer IW (1981) "Drug interaction: meperidine and chlorpromazine, a toxic combination." J Clin Pharmacol, 21, p. 140-6
- (2002) "Product Information. Demerol (meperidine)." Sanofi Winthrop Pharmaceuticals
- (2022) "Product Information. Meperidine Hydrochloride (meperidine)." Astra-Zeneca Pharmaceuticals
Meperidine Alcohol (Ethanol)
Moderate Drug Interaction
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
- 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
- Sturner WQ, Garriott JC (1973) "Deaths involving propoxyphene: a study of 41 cases over a two-year period." JAMA, 223, p. 1125-30
- 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
- Levine B, Saady J, Fierro M, Valentour J (1984) "A hydromorphone and ethanol fatality." J Forensic Sci, 29, p. 655-9
- 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
- Carson DJ (1977) "Fatal dextropropoxyphene poisoning in Northern Ireland. Review of 30 cases." Lancet, 1, p. 894-7
- Rosser WW (1980) "The interaction of propoxyphene with other drugs." Can Med Assoc J, 122, p. 149-50
- Edwards C, Gard PR, Handley SL, Hunter M, Whittington RM (1982) "Distalgesic and ethanol-impaired function." Lancet, 2, p. 384
- Kiplinger GF, Sokol G, Rodda BE (1974) "Effect of combined alcohol and propoxyphene on human performance." Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther, 212, p. 175-80
Promethazine Alcohol (Ethanol)
Moderate Drug Interaction
GENERALLY AVOID: Concurrent use of ethanol and phenothiazines may result in additive CNS depression and psychomotor impairment. Also, ethanol may precipitate dystonic reactions in patients who are taking phenothiazines. The two drugs probably act on different sites in the brain, although the exact mechanism of the interaction is not known.
MANAGEMENT: Patients should be advised to avoid alcohol during phenothiazine therapy.
References
- Lutz EG (1976) "Neuroleptic-induced akathisia and dystonia triggered by alcohol." JAMA, 236, p. 2422-3
- Freed E (1981) "Alcohol-triggered-neuroleptic-induced tremor, rigidity and dystonia." Med J Aust, 2, p. 44-5
Mepergan Fortis drug interactions
There are 756 drug interactions with Mepergan Fortis (meperidine / promethazine).
Mepergan Fortis disease interactions
There are 34 disease interactions with Mepergan Fortis (meperidine / promethazine) which include:
- impaired GI motility
- infectious diarrhea
- prematurity
- acute alcohol intoxication
- drug dependence
- hypotension
- intracranial pressure
- respiratory depression
- gastrointestinal obstruction
- acute alcohol intoxication
- cardiovascular disease
- CNS depression
- head injury
- antidopaminergic effects 1
- asthma
- anticholinergic effects
- asthma/COPD
- adrenal insufficiency
- liver disease
- renal dysfunction
- seizure disorders
- urinary retention
- arrhythmias
- biliary tract disease
- breast cancer
- dystonic reactions
- hematologic toxicity
- liver disease
- NMS
- parkinsonism
- renal dysfunction
- seizure disorders
- tardive dyskinesia
- antidopaminergic effects 2
More about Mepergan Fortis (meperidine / promethazine)
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- Drug class: narcotic analgesic combinations
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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
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.