Morphine and Ritonavir interaction
Morphine 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.
Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.
What the FDA labels say
From the Ritonavir (Norvir) label · effective 2026-07-23
WARNING: DRUG-DRUG INTERACTIONS LEADING TO POTENTIALLY SERIOUS AND/OR LIFE THREATENING REACTIONS Co-administration of NORVIR with several classes of drugs including sedative hypnotics, antiarrhythmics, or ergot alkaloid preparations may result in potentially serious and/or life-threatening adverse events due to possible effects of NORVIR on the hepatic metabolism…
…POTENTIALLY SERIOUS AND/OR LIFE THREATENING REACTIONS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning Co-administration of NORVIR with several classes of drugs including sedative hypnotics, antiarrhythmics, or ergot alkaloid preparations may result in potentially serious and/or life-threatening adverse events due to possible effects of NORVIR on the…
…methylergonovine ○ GI Motility Agent: cisapride ○ HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors: lovastatin, simvastatin ○ Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP) Inhibitor: lomitapide ○ Non-opioid Analgesic (selective blocker of Na v 1.8 sodium channels): suzetrigine ○ PDE5 Inhibitor: sildenafil (Revatio ® ) when used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension…
Sedative/Hypnotics: triazolam, orally administered midazolam ↑ triazolam ↑ midazolam Contraindicated due to potential for prolonged or increased sedation or respiratory depression [see Contraindications ( 4 ) ] .
Analgesics, Opioid: tramadol, propoxyphene, methadone, fentanyl ↑ analgesics ↓ methadone ↑ fentanyl A dose decrease may be needed for these drugs when co-administered with ritonavir.
From the Morphine (Morphine Sulfate) label · effective 2026-02-03
P-Glycoprotein (P-gp) Inhibitors Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of P-gp inhibitors can increase the exposure to morphine by two-fold and can increase the risk of hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, and death.
Intervention: Evaluate patients for signs of respiratory depression that may be greater than otherwise expected and decrease the dosage of Morphine Sulfate Oral Solution and/or the P-gp inhibitor as necessary.
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Open in the checkerNot 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.