Methadone and Methohexital interaction

Methadone and Methohexital: both prescribing labels flag this combination with the strongest language, such as a contraindication, a boxed warning, or an instruction to avoid it.

Major

Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.

What the FDA labels say

From the Methadone (METHADOSE) label · effective 2026-04-27

Major

Managing Risks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants Concomitant use with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, is a risk factor for respiratory depression and death [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )].

Boxed warningby drug classView label on DailyMed
Major

Reserve concomitant prescribing of benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants in patients in methadone treatment to those for whom alternatives to benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants are inadequate.

Boxed warningby drug classView label on DailyMed
Major

Concomitant use with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, and death.

Boxed warningby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

…with Methadone Concomitant use of methadone and benzodiazepines and/or other CNS depressants (e.g., alcohol, non-benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids [gabapentin or pregabalin], and other opioids), increases the risk of adverse reactions including overdose and death.

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

In others, gradually tapering a patient off a prescribed benzodiazepine or other CNS depressant or decreasing to the lowest effective dose may be appropriate.

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed

From the Methohexital (Brevital Sodium) label · effective 2026-05-05

Moderate

The CNS-depressant effect of BREVITAL may be additive with that of other CNS depressants, including ethyl alcohol and propylene glycol.

Warningsby drug classView label on DailyMed

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Not medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.