Methadone and Nirmatrelvir and ritonavir interaction

Methadone and Nirmatrelvir and ritonavir: 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 Nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid) label · effective 2026-02-19

Major

…voclosporin • Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor: lomitapide • Migraine medications: eletriptan, ubrogepant • Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists: finerenone • Non-opioid analgesic (selective blocker of Na v 1.8 sodium channels): suzetrigine • Opioid antagonists: naloxegol • PDE5 inhibitor: sildenafil (Revatio ® ) when used for pulmonary arterial…

Contraindicationsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Major

Opioid antagonists naloxegol ↑ naloxegol Co-administration contraindicated due to the potential for opioid withdrawal symptoms [see Contraindications (4) ] .

Drug interactionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Major

Sedative/hypnotics triazolam, oral midazolam ↑ triazolam ↑ midazolam Co-administration contraindicated due to potential for extreme sedation and respiratory depression [see Contraindications (4) ] .

Drug interactionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Major

Serotonin receptor 1A agonist/ serotonin receptor 2A antagonist flibanserin ↑ flibanserin Co-administration contraindicated due to potential for hypotension, syncope, and CNS depression [see Contraindications (4) ] .

Drug interactionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

Refer to the individual product prescribing information for more information. methadone ↓ methadone Monitor methadone-maintained patients closely for evidence of withdrawal effects and adjust the methadone dose accordingly.

Drug interactionsnames MethadoneView label on DailyMed

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

Moderate

Examples: Macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin), azole-antifungal agents (e.g., ketoconazole), protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir), fluconazole, fluvoxamine, some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (e.g., sertraline, fluvoxamine) Inducers of CYP3A4, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, or CYP2C9 Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of methadone and CYP3A4, CYP2B6,…

Drug interactionsnames Nirmatrelvir and ritonavirView label on DailyMed
Moderate

…Anti-Retroviral Agents on Methadone Concurrent use of certain protease inhibitors with CYP3A4 inhibitory activity, alone and in combination, such as abacavir, amprenavir, darunavir+ritonavir, efavirenz, nelfinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir, telaprevir, lopinavir+ritonavir, saquinavir+ritonavir, and tipranvir+ritonavir, has resulted in increased clearance or decreased…

Drug interactionsnames Nirmatrelvir and ritonavirView label on DailyMed
Minor

Inhibitors of CYP3A4, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, or CYP2D6 Clinical Impact: Methadone undergoes hepatic N-demethylation by several cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms, including CYP3A4, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, and CYP2D6.

Drug interactionsby 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.