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Fentanyl

Drug Information

Fentanyl is used in surgery as a general anesthetic and is available in a patch form to treat severe, chronic pain. It is in a class of drugs known as opioid analgesics.

Common brand names:

Duragesic, Actiq, Fentora, Sublimaze

Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods

What Are Nutrient Interactions
Types of interactions: Beneficial Adverse Check

Replenish Depleted Nutrients

  • none

Reduce Side Effects

  • none

Support Medicine

  • Magnesium

    One double-blind study showed that giving magnesium intravenously before surgery dramatically reduced the amount of fentanyl needed to control pain during and after an operation.1 Further research is needed to determine whether people using fentanyl patches might benefit from supplementing with oral magnesium.

Reduces Effectiveness

  • Apples

    Drinking grapefruit juice, orange juice, or apple juice with fexofenadine decreases blood levels of the drug.2 , 3

    The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
  • Grapefruit

    Drinking grapefruit juice, orange juice, or apple juice with fexofenadine decreases blood levels of the drug.4 , 5

    The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
  • Oranges

    Drinking grapefruit juice, orange juice, or apple juice with fexofenadine decreases blood levels of the drug.6 , 7

    The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Potential Negative Interaction

  • none

Explanation Required 

  • none

The Drug-Nutrient Interactions table may not include every possible interaction. Taking medicines with meals, on an empty stomach, or with alcohol may influence their effects. For details, refer to the manufacturers’ package information as these are not covered in this table. If you take medications, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a new supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.

References

1. Koinig H, Wallner T, Marhofer P, et al. Magnesium sulfate reduces intra- and postoperative analgesic requirements. Anesth Analg 1998;87:206–10.

2. Dresser GK, Bailey DG, Leake BF, et al. Fruit juices inhibit organic anion transporting polypeptide-mediated drug uptake to decrease the oral availability of fexofenadine. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2002;71:11–20.

3. Dresser GK, Kim RB, Bailey DG. Effect of grapefruit juice volume on the reduction of fexofenadine bioavailability: possible role of organic anion transporting polypeptides. Clin Pharmacol Ther2005;77:170–7.

4. Dresser GK, Bailey DG, Leake BF, et al. Fruit juices inhibit organic anion transporting polypeptide-mediated drug uptake to decrease the oral availability of fexofenadine. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2002;71:11–20.

5. Dresser GK, Kim RB, Bailey DG. Effect of grapefruit juice volume on the reduction of fexofenadine bioavailability: possible role of organic anion transporting polypeptides. Clin Pharmacol Ther2005;77:170–7.

6. Dresser GK, Bailey DG, Leake BF, et al. Fruit juices inhibit organic anion transporting polypeptide-mediated drug uptake to decrease the oral availability of fexofenadine. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2002;71:11–20.

7. Dresser GK, Kim RB, Bailey DG. Effect of grapefruit juice volume on the reduction of fexofenadine bioavailability: possible role of organic anion transporting polypeptides. Clin Pharmacol Ther2005;77:170–7.

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