Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: This warning does not apply to the naloxone component in non-injectable formulations of naloxone-containing combination medicines. Naloxone injection is an antagonist that will reverse the actions of opiates. This reversal can occur when the opiate drug is being used clinically and when it is being abused. Physically dependent patients may experience withdrawal symptoms. Abrupt postoperative opioid reversal has resulted in hypotension, ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, pulmonary edema, cardiac arrest, encephalopathy, and death.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving naloxone injection should be monitored for changes in vital signs, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, aches, fever, runny nose, sneezing, nervousness, irritability, shivering, abdominal cramps.

ADJUST DOSE: Potent narcotics, when used as an adjuvant in patients receiving alfentanil, remifentanil, or sufentanil for anesthesia or conscious sedation, may further decrease cardiac output and respiratory drive.

MANAGEMENT: The dosage of alfentanil, remifentanil, or sufentanil may need to be decreased in patients who have received large doses of narcotics.

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate the central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects of opioid analgesics including buprenorphine. 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: Patients taking buprenorphine should not consume alcohol or use medications that contain alcohol on days of buprenorphine dosing. In general, potent narcotics such as buprenorphine should not be combined with alcohol.