Fendermal Drug Interactions

Pharmacodynamic-related interactions: Sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related medicinal products, centrally-acting medicinal products/CNS depressants including alcohol and CNS depressant narcotic agents: The concomitant use of opioids with sedative medicinal products such as benzodiazepines or related medicinal products, other central nervous system depressants, (including other opioids, hypnotics, general anaesthetics, phenothiazines, tranquilisers, sedating antihistamines, alcohol and CNS depressant narcotic drugs ), and skeletal muscle relaxants, increases the risk of sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death because of additive CNS depressant effect. The dose and duration of concomitant use should be limited (see Precautions).
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI): Fentanyl patch is not recommended for use in patients who require the concomitant administration of an MAOI. Severe and unpredictable interactions with MAOIs, involving the potentiation of opiate effects or the potentiation of serotoninergic effects, have been reported.
Therefore, fentanyl patch should not be used within 14 days after discontinuation of treatment with MAOIs.
Serotonergic medicinal products: Co-administration of fentanyl with a serotonergic medicinal products, such as a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) or a serotonin norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitor (SNRI) or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life threatening condition.
Concomitant use of mixed opioid agonists/antagonists: The concomitant use of buprenorphine, nalbuphine or pentazocine is not recommended. They have high affinity to opioid receptors with relatively low intrinsic activity and therefore partially antagonise the analgesic effect of fentanyl and may induce withdrawal symptoms in opioid dependent patients (see Precautions).
Pharmacokinetic-related interactions: Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitors: Fentanyl, a high clearance active substance, is rapidly and extensively metabolised mainly by CYP3A4.
The concomitant use of transdermal fentanyl with cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitors may result in an increase in fentanyl plasma concentrations, which could increase or prolong both the therapeutic and adverse effects, and may cause serious respiratory depression. The extent of interaction with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors is expected to be greater than with weak or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors. Cases of serious respiratory depression after co-administration of CYP3A4 inhibitors with transdermal fentanyl have been reported, including a fatal case after co-administration with a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor. The concomitant use of CYP3A4 inhibitors and patch is not recommended, unless the patient is closely monitored (see Precautions). Examples of active substances that may increase fentanyl concentrations include: amiodarone, cimetidine, clarithromycin, diltiazem, erythromycin, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, ritonavir, verapamil and voriconazole (this list is not exhaustive). After co-administration of weak, moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors with short-term intravenous fentanyl administration, decreases in fentanyl clearance were generally ≤25%, however with ritonavir (a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor), fentanyl clearance decreased on average 67%. The extent of the interactions of CYP3A4 inhibitors with long-term transdermal fentanyl administration is not known, but may be greater than with short-term intravenous administration.
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inducers: The concomitant use of transdermal fentanyl with CYP3A4 inducers may result in a decrease in fentanyl plasma concentrations and a decreased therapeutic effect. Caution is advised upon concomitant use of CYP3A4 inducers and fentanyl. The dose of fentanyl may need to be increased or a switch to another analgesic active substance may be needed. A fentanyl dose decrease and careful monitoring is warranted in anticipation of stopping concomitant treatment with a CYP3A4 inducer. The effects of the inducer decline gradually and may result in increased fentanyl plasma concentrations, which could increase or prolong both the therapeutic and adverse effects, and may cause serious respiratory depression. Careful monitoring should be continued until stable drug effects are achieved. Examples of active substance that may decrease fentanyl plasma concentrations include: carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and rifampicin (this list is not exhaustive).
Paediatric population: Interaction studies have only been performed in adults.