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More about Analgesics, Opioid:
Definition Purpose Recommended dosage Precautions Side effects Interactions |
Anyone taking these drugs should notify his or her physician before taking opioid analgesics:
- Central nervous system (CNS) depressants, such as anti-histamines and other medicines for allergies, hay fever, or colds; tranquilizers; some other prescription pain relievers; seizure medicines; muscle relaxants; sleeping pills; some anesthetics (including dental anesthetics).
- Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, such as phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate). The combination of the opioid analgesic meperidine (Demerol) and MAO inhibitors is especially dangerous.
- Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline (Elavil).
- Anti-seizure medicines, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol). May lead to serious side effects, including coma, when combined with propoxyphene and acetaminophen (Darvocet-N) or propoxyphene (Darvon).
- Muscle relaxants, such as cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril).
- Sleeping pills, such as triazolam (Halcion).
- Blood-thinning drugs, such as warfarin (Coumadin).
- Naltrexone (Trexan, Revia). Cancels the effects of opioid analgesics.
- Rifampin (Rifadin).
- Zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir). Serious side effects when combined with morphine.
[Article by: Nancy Ross-Flanigan]
— Nancy Ross-Flanigan
