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. 2015 Sep 16;9:5255–5267. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S86983

Clinically significant drug–drug interactions involving opioid analgesics used for pain treatment in patients with cancer: a systematic review

Aleksandra Kotlinska-Lemieszek 1,✉, Pål Klepstad 2,3,6, Dagny Faksvåg Haugen 2,4,5
PMCID: PMC4577251  PMID: 26396499

Abstract

Background

Opioids are the most frequently used drugs to treat pain in cancer patients. In some patients, however, opioids can cause adverse effects and drug–drug interactions. No advice concerning the combination of opioids and other drugs is given in the current European guidelines.

Objective

To identify studies that report clinically significant drug–drug interactions involving opioids used for pain treatment in adult cancer patients.

Design and data sources

Systematic review with searches in Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from the start of the databases (Embase from 1980) through January 2014. In addition, reference lists of relevant full-text papers were hand-searched.

Results

Of 901 retrieved papers, 112 were considered as potentially eligible. After full-text reading, 17 were included in the final analysis, together with 15 papers identified through hand-searching of reference lists. All of the 32 included publications were case reports or case series. Clinical manifestations of drug–drug interactions involving opioids were grouped as follows: 1) sedation and respiratory depression, 2) other central nervous system symptoms, 3) impairment of pain control and/or opioid withdrawal, and 4) other symptoms. The most common mechanisms eliciting drug–drug interactions were alteration of opioid metabolism by inhibiting the activity of cytochrome P450 3A4 and pharmacodynamic interactions due to the combined effect on opioid, dopaminergic, cholinergic, and serotonergic activity in the central nervous system.

Conclusion

Evidence for drug–drug interactions associated with opioids used for pain treatment in cancer patients is very limited. Still, the cases identified in this systematic review give some important suggestions for clinical practice. Physicians prescribing opioids should recognize the risk of drug–drug interactions and if possible avoid polypharmacy.

Keywords: opioids, pain, cancer patients, drug–drug interactions

Introduction

Opioid analgesics are the most frequently used drugs to treat pain in patients with cancer.1 In some patients, however, opioids cause adverse effects.2 The most frequent adverse effects in cancer patients treated for pain with opioids are sedation, nausea/vomiting, and constipation, but other infrequent adverse effects, such as myoclonus, hallucination, and respiratory depression, are also feared.1–3 Adverse drug reactions from opioids are most often caused by the opioid itself, but can also be a result of the combination of the opioid and another drug, a drug–drug interaction (DDI).4 The risk of DDIs is high in cancer patients because of the large number of concomitant drugs.5

DDIs can be categorized as pharmacokinetic, that is, one drug influences the pharmacokinetic properties – absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion – of another drug. DDIs can also be pharmacodynamic, when the effects of two drugs either potentiate or antagonize each other.6

DDIs are reported to lead to serious adverse drug reactions in patients treated with opioids for pain.7,8 Still, no advice concerning the combination of opioids and other drugs is given in the current guidelines.2 Some studies have assessed the number of potentially harmful drug combinations in cancer pain patients, but do not report the number of clinically observed adverse drug reactions actually resulting from such combinations.5,9 Thus, the real risk of clinically important DDIs related to opioid therapy in cancer patients is not established.

The lack of advice on drug combinations in current guidelines may be a result of this limited clinical information. Therefore, a systematic review of the literature is indicated to identify studies that report clinically relevant DDIs associated with opioid analgesics used for the treatment of pain in patients with cancer.

Methods

Search strategy

Systematic searches were performed in Embase and MEDLINE through OvidSP and in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, from set up of the databases (Embase from 1980) through January 2014. The last day searched was March 14, 2014. The full search string for Embase is presented in Table 1. Titles and abstracts of the retrieved citations were reviewed independently by two of the researchers (DFH, AKL), and potentially relevant papers were read in full text (DFH, AKL). In cases of doubt or disagreement, papers were reassessed by all three investigators (DFH, AKL, PK).

Table 1.

Search strategy

Search strategy in Embase for drug–drug interactions (DDIs) involving opioid analgesics used for pain treatment in cancer patients (#1 or #2 or #3)
#1 (exp opiate agonist/it or exp narcotic analgesic agent/it or exp narcotic agent/it or exp morphine derivative/it) and exp neoplasm/
#2 (exp opiate agonist/or exp narcotic analgesic agent/or exp narcotic agent/or exp morphine derivative/) and exp neoplasm/and (drug interaction/or drug antagonism/or drug competition/or drug inhibition/or drug potentiation/) and (exp pain/or analgesia/or analgesic activity/or pain relief/)
#3 (exp opiate agonist/or exp narcotic analgesic agent/or exp narcotic agent/or exp morphine derivative/) and exp neoplasm/and polypharmacy/
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Additionally, reference lists of all the papers read in full text were hand-searched for relevant papers.

Inclusion criteria

  • – Publications reporting clinically significant DDIs involving WHO step II or step III opioids, as assessed by the authors.

  • – The DDI observed in one or more adult patients with a diagnosis of malignant disease and treated with an opioid for pain.

  • – Any type of publication: randomized controlled trial, other controlled study, observational study, case report, case series, or letter to the Editor, except for publications available only in abstract form.

  • – Publications in English language.

Exclusion criteria

  • – Experimental studies.

  • – Nonhuman studies.

  • – Only pharmacokinetic investigations (no clinical outcome).

  • – Studies in noncancer patients.

  • – Opioids used for indications other than pain or perioperatively.

  • – Duplicate publications.

Content analysis

The identified publications were grouped according to clinical presentation and probable underlying mechanism of the DDI. The DDIs and underlying mechanisms were presented as assessed and interpreted by the authors in each publication.

Results

Systematic review of the literature

After removal of duplicates, 901 papers were retrieved (Figure 1). A total of 112 of these papers were considered potentially eligible for inclusion. After reading the full-text papers, 17 publications were included in the final analysis. In addition, 15 relevant papers were identified through hand-searching the reference lists of the articles read in full text, adding up to a total number of 32 included publications (Table 2).10–41 Additionally, two papers that commented on two of the included publications were identified,42,43 but not included as cases in the review.

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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PRISMA flow chart showing the selection of papers.

Table 2.

Overview of included publications reporting drug–drug interactions (DDIs) involving opioids used for pain treatment in cancer patients

Author (year) Study design (number of patients) Patients Primary treatment (dose, route of administration) Coadministered drug (dose, route of administration) Clinical presentation Underlying mechanism as proposed by the authors Additional information provided by the authors of the included papers and the present review
Tramadol
Huang et al10 (2007) Case report 39-year-old woman with lymphoma IV tramadol (150 mg/day) Pethidine (25 mg injection) Confusion with agitation and visual hallucinations 2 hours after pethidine injection, followed by catatonia with mutism and immobile standing, for 2 days Anticholinergic and serotonergic effects; imbalance between cholinergic and dopaminergic systems in the CNS Other drugs (pantoprazole, cyclophosphamide, prednisolone) could have contributed to the symptoms
Dextropropoxyphene/propoxyphene
Yu et al11 (1986) Case series (one patient) 69-year-old woman with myelofibrosis Carbamazepine (600 mg/day) Dextro-propoxyphene (32 mg q4h) Drowsiness progressing to coma on the fifth day of the co-treatment Inhibition of carbamazepine metabolism Two other cases of patients with nonmalignant diseases are also reported
Oles et al12 (1989) Case series (two patients) Two patients; 60-year-old man and 23-year-old woman with brain tumors Carbamazepine (~9–23 mg/kg/day) Propoxyphene Lightheadedness, blurred vision, double/triple vision, ataxia, nausea and vomiting after 2–3 days of co-treatment Inhibition of carbamazepine metabolism (CYP450) Six other cases of patients with nonmalignant diseases are also reported
Tapentadol
Sanders13 (2013) Case report 58-year-old woman with endometrial carcinoma PO clonidine (400 mg/day) PO tapentadol (50 mg per dose) Blood pressure increase within 24 hours after tapentadol initiation. Similar episode 2 hours after tapentadol was resumed Inhibition of norepinephrine reuptake
Morphine
Potter et al14 (1989) Case series (seven patients) Nineteen patients; ten men and nine women aged 34–75; with malignant disease, and high dose of morphine or morphine-related side effects PO morphine (120–1,200 mg/day), SC morphine (210–800 mg/day) Antidepressants (TCA), antipsychotics (phenothiazines and haloperidol), antiemetics, NSAIDs Side effects in 13 of the 19 patients (myoclonus in 12, and hyperalgesia in 1). Antidepressants and antipsychotics were used only in patients with side effects (7/13). A greater proportion of patients with side effects used thiethylperazine and NSAIDs Antagonistic effect on dopamine receptors (phenothiazines); inhibition of catecholamines release (NSAIDs); promotion of proconvulsant properties of opioids Abnormal concentrations of electrolytes in some patients could have contributed to the symptoms
Smith and Guly15 (2004) Case report 60-year-old woman with metastatic renal cell carcinoma SR morphine (90 mg q12h) IV nalbuphine (30 mg) Symptoms of opioid withdrawal, resistance to additional doses of intravenous morphine Antagonistic effect on mu opioid receptors
Hartree16 (2005) Case series (one patient) 49-year-old man with metastatic prostate cancer SR morphine (360 mg q12h) IM nalbuphine (10 mg) Increased pain and symptoms of opioid withdrawal Antagonistic effect on mu opioid receptors Another patient (treated with methadone and nalbuphine) is reported below
Ripamonti et al17 (1998) Case series (three patients) Three patients; one man and two women aged 20–58; with sarcomas and cervical carcinoma PO, SC, spinal morphine (in increasing doses; 20–2,000 mg MEDD) SC or IV somatostatin (3 mg) Increased pain, difficulty in controlling pain Opioid antagonistic properties of somatostatin One patient initially on oral methadone with poor analgesic effect, switched to morphine
Piquet et al18 (1998) Case series (one patient) 72-year-old man with metastatic bladder carcinoma IT morphine (10 mg) IT bupivacaine (7.5 mg) with epinephrine Coma and respiratory depression 10 minutes after IT injection of morphine and bupivacaine (morphine was resumed in the same dose after 4 days) Inhibition of the stimulating effect of pain on respiration A case of a patient with nonmalignant disease is also reported
Upadhyay et al19 (2008) Case report 80-year-old man with metastatic lung cancer PO morphine (dose increased from 15 mg to 30 mg q4h) PO amitriptyline (dose increased from 25 mg/day to 50 mg/day), ranitidine (300 mg/day) Deep and prolonged sedation, not responding to painful stimuli with respiratory rate eight per minute during titration rate of the analgesic dose Sedating effect of amitriptyline; inhibition of morphine metabolism (amitryptyline and ranitidine) Patient with hypoalbuminemia
Martinez-Abad et al20 (1988) Case report 42-year-old man with cancer of the larynx IV ranitidine (150 mg q8h) IV morphine (50 mg/day) Three episodes of confusion with agitation after three subsequent doses of ranitidine during morphine infusion Mechanism not clear (according to the authors) Inhibition of morphine metabolism by ranitidine has been demonstrated45,46
Guo et al21 (2006) Case report 18-year-old woman with nasopharyngeal carcinoma IM haloperidol (4 mg/day), IV morphine (up tô10 mg/h) and ED injection of morphine (2 mg) IV naloxone (3 injections of 0.1–0.2 mg at 30-minute intervals) Three episodes of extrapyramidal symptoms (restlessness, torticollis, oculogyric response) 5 minutes after each naloxone injection Reversal of opioid-related protection from haloperidol-induced extrapyramidal side effects
Bortolussi et al22 (1994) Case series (four patients) Four patients; three men and one woman aged 53–56; with metastatic renal cell carcinoma SR morphine IV recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) Coma and/or respiratory depression Toxic synergy on CNS; accumulation of morphine metabolites due to acute renal failure (induced by rIL-2)
Hydromorphone
Fainsinger et al23 (1993) Case report 85-year-old woman with breast cancer PO hydromorphone (24 mg q4h, 12 mg prn) Captopril (50 mg/day) Confusion with agitation and hallucinations, after a few days of co-treatment Accumulation of hydromorphone metabolites due to renal failure (induced by captopril)
Oxycodone
Watanabe et al24 (2011) Case series (seven patients) Nine patients; two men and seven women aged 39–82; with maxillary tumor or hematologic malignancies PO oxycodone (~0.2–2.0 mg/kg/day) PO or IV voriconazole (~2.2–8.0 mg/kg/day) coadministered or discontinued Adverse events (vomiting, drowsiness, hypopnea, delirium, sweating, hypotension, uncontrolled pain) in seven of nine patients; after 1–10 days of co-treatment Inhibition of CYP3A4 Commented in Hagelberg et al42
Walter et al25 (2012) Case report 77-year-old woman with lung cancer SR oxycodone (50 mg q12h), IR oxycodone (5 mg prn) Citalopram (20 mg/day) Tremor, weakness, inability to coordinate motor movements, confusion (serotonin syndrome). The symptoms resolved within 48 hours after oxycodone was changed to morphine Hyperstimulation of central 5-HT1A and 2A receptors (citalopram); disinhibition of serotonergic neuronal activity by suppressing GABA-mediated inhibition (oxycodone) The patient also used esomeprazole, which could have inhibited citalopram clearance
Rosebraugh et al26 (2001) Case report 34-year-old man with lymphoma PO sertraline (50 mg/day) PO oxycodone (200 mg over 48 hours) Severe tremor and visual hallucinations (probable serotonin syndrome). The symptoms resolved within 12 hours after sertraline was stopped and cyproheptadine administered Hyperstimulation of central 5-HT1A and 2A receptors (sertraline); disinhibition of neuronal activity by suppressing GABA-mediated inhibition (oxycodone)
Fentanyl
Takane et al27 (2005) Case report 61-year-old man with parotid gland adenocarcinoma TD fentanyl (dose increased from 2.5 mg to 7.5 mg; every 3 days) PO rifampin (300 mg/day) Severe pain after rifampin initiation. Patient continued to have pain despite three-fold increase in fentanyl dose Induction of CYP3A4 The ratio of serum fentanyl concentration/dose decreased to 20%–50% of baseline value
Morii et al28 (2007) Case report 64-year-old man with colon cancer Rifampicin (450 mg/day) TD fentanyl (dose increased from 0.6 mg/day to 2.5 mg/day) Poor analgesia Induction of CYP3A4
Mercadante et al29 (2002) Case report 67-year-old man with head and neck cancer TD fentanyl (50 µg/h) PO itraconazole (400 mg/day) Agitated delirium with myoclonus 24 hours after starting itraconazole Inhibition of CYP3A4 Patient also used omeprazole and ibuprofen, which could have contributed to the event (by inhibition of fentanyl metabolism and renal excretion)
Hallberg et al30 (2006) Case report 46-year-old man with tonsillar cancer TD fentanyl (150 µg/h) PO fluconazole (50 mg/day) Death after 3 days of co-treatment Inhibition of CYP3A4 Postmortem blood analysis showed toxic concentration of fentanyl. Patient used also other drugs that could have contributed to the event (morphine, oxazepam, zolpidem)
Levin et al31 (2010) Case report 85-year-old man with lung cancer IV fentanyl (25 µg/h) Diltiazem Hypoactive delirium, somnolence, miosis after 3 days of coadministration Inhibition of CYP3A4 Patient with chronic renal insufficiency
Cronnolly and Pegrum32 (2012) Case report 72-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer TD fentanyl (87 µg/h) PO clarithromycin (1 g/day) Coma and respiratory depression 2 days after clarithromycin initiation Inhibition of CYP3A4 Patient with kidney disease on hemodialysis
Tsutsumi et al33 (2006) Case report 47-year-old woman with leukemia TD fentanyl (25 µg/h), discontinued Cyclosporine Opioid withdrawal syndrome 1 day following fentanyl cessation. Symptoms disappeared after fentanyl was resumed Inhibition of CYP3A4
Morita et al34 (2004) Case report 67-year-old man with esophageal cancer IV fentanyl (500 µg/day) IV haloperidol (2.5–7.5 mg/day) Worsening of pre-existing delirium (days 3–6). On day 7 muscle rigidity, fever, severe diaphoresis, tachycardia, hypertension, tachypnea, and coma (neuroleptic malignant syndrome) Antagonistic effect on dopamine receptors (haloperidol); modification of dopamine metabolism in the CNS (fentanyl) Hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia and hypomagnesemia in this patient could have contributed to the symptoms
Ailawadhi et al35 (2007) Case report 65-year-old woman with myeloproliferative disease Citalopram TD fentanyl (25 µg/h) Confusion, agitation, tremors, hyperreflexia, myoclonus, unsteady gait, tachycardia (serotonin syndrome) within 24 hours of fentanyl initiation. The symptoms resolved within 24–36 hours after fentanyl was replaced by oxycodone Overstimulation of serotonin receptors (citalopram); inhibition of serotonin reuptake and increase of serotonin release in the CNS (fentanyl)
Buprenorphine
Moro et al36 (2006) Case report 34-year-old man with metastatic osteosarcoma Ifosfamide (2 g/m2/day for 3 days) TD buprenorphine (35–52.5 µg/h) Confusion, miosis, respiratory depression and bradycardia within 36 hours of the co-treatment Inhibition of CYP3A4 (due to saturation of the enzyme by ifosfamide) Commented by Davis (best interpretation for the event was rapid increase in buprenorphine dose)43
Methadone
Hartree16 (2005) Case series (one patient) 54-year-old man with rectal carcinoma PO methadone (20 mg/day) IM nalbuphine (10 mg) Increased pain and symptoms of opioid withdrawal Antagonistic effect on mu opioid receptors Another patient (treated with morphine and nalbuphine) is reported above
Benítez-Rosario et al37 (2006) Case report 61-year-old woman with metastatic lung cancer PO methadone (210 mg/day) Carbamazepine (1,200 mg/day), discontinued Loss of consciousness and respiratory depression eleven days after carbamazepine discontinuation Disappearance of carbamazepine inducing effect on metabolizing enzymes The dose of methadone was increased within a week before the incident
Tarumi et al38 (2002) Case report 60-year-old man with gastric cancer PO methadone (45–75 mg/day) IV fluconazole (100 mg/day) Unresponsiveness and respiratory depression 4 days after fluconazole initiation Inhibition of CYP3A4 and 2C9 Patient also used omeprazole, which could have contributed to the accumulation of methadone (by inhibition of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4)
Sorkin and Ogawa39 (1983) Case report 76-year-old man with metastatic lung cancer PO methadone (5 mg q8h), SC morphine (8 mg prn) IV cimetidine (1.2 g/day) Respiratory depression 6 days after cimetidine initiation, 3 h after the rescue dose of morphine Inhibition of liver enzymes Cimetidine is a weak CYP3A4 inhibitor44
Elsayem and Bruera40 (2005) Case report 70-year-old man with gastric cancer Methadone (10 mg q8h, 2 mg prn) Sertraline (100 mg/day) Coma and respiratory depression 3 days after sertraline dose was increased from 50 mg/day to 100 mg/day Inhibition of CYP3A4 Severely malnourished patient with a history of alcoholism
Walker et al41 (2003) Case series (one patient) 61-year-old woman with rectal cancer PO methadone (600–700 mg/day) Sertraline (50 mg/day), midazolam, IV fentanyl (prn) Two episodes of ventricular tachycardia (torsades de pointes) Interference with methadone metabolism (sertraline, midazolam, and fentanyl, substrates of CYP3A4); increase in methadone blood levels High dose of methadone and preexisting cardiac disease in the patient Two other cases of patients with nonmalignant disease are also reported
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Abbreviations: PO, oral; IR, immediate release; SR, slow release; SC, subcutaneous; IV, intravenous; TD, transdermal; ED, epidural; IT, intrathecal; q4h, every four hours; q12h, every 12 hours; prn, as required; MEDD, morphine equivalent daily dose; NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; TCA, tricyclic antidepressants; CNS, central nervous system; BP, blood pressure.

No randomized controlled trials or other controlled studies were found. All of the included publications were case reports or case series, reporting on 2–19 patients. Nine of the papers were published in the period 1983–2000, and 23 in the period 2001–January 2014 (Table 2). In some case series, DDIs in both cancer patients and patients with nonmalignant diseases were reported.11,12,18,41 From these case series, only cases of DDIs due to opioids in patients with a diagnosis of malignant disease treated for pain were included in the review.

Opioids involved in DDIs

The majority of included publications report DDIs related to opioids that are in common clinical use (Table 2):

  • – morphine, administered by various routes; oral, subcutaneous, intravenous, epidural, and intrathecal (nine publications),14–22

  • – fentanyl, transdermal, and intravenous (nine publications,27–35 of which seven described DDIs associated with transdermal preparations),

  • – oral methadone (six publications),16,37–41

  • – oral oxycodone (three publications),24–26

  • – tramadol combined with pethidine,10 tapentadol,13 hydromorphone,23 and buprenorphine36 was reported in one paper each.

Four publications report DDIs associated with opioids of minor current clinical relevance: propoxyphene, dextro-propoxyphene, and nalbuphine.11,12,15,16

Clinical presentation of DDIs

Eleven papers reported DDIs resulting in sedation and respiratory depression.18,19,22,24,30,32,36–40 Fifteen papers reported DDIs causing various other central nervous system (CNS) symptoms, including delirium,10,20,23–25,29,31,34–36 serotonin syndrome,25,26,35 myoclonus,14,29,35 hyperalgesia,14 extrapyramidal symptoms,21 catatonia,10 neuroleptic malignant syndrome,34 or carbamazepine toxicity.11,12 Seven papers reported DDIs causing impairment of pain control and/or opioid withdrawal.15–17,24,27,28,33 Finally, in three publications, other symptoms believed to be associated with opioid-related DDIs were reported: hypertension,13 hypotension,24 vomiting,24 sweating,24 ventricular tachycardia/torsades de pointes.41

Mechanisms underlying DDIs of opioids used for pain treatment in cancer patients

The mechanisms underlying DDIs involving opioid analgesics used for pain treatment in patients with cancer in the publications included in this review are presented in Table 3.

Table 3.

Mechanisms underlying DDIs involving opioid analgesics used for pain treatment in patients with cancer

Mechanisms underlying DDIs of opioid analgesics
Pharmacokinetic DDIs
1) Inhibition or induction of opioid metabolism through CYP450 or other metabolizing enzymes19,20,24,27–33,36–41
2) Decreased renal elimination of an opioid22,23
3) Inhibition of the metabolism of other drugs exerted by an opioid11,12
Pharmacodynamic DDIs
1) Potentiation of analgesic efficacy and toxicity through opioid and nonopioid mechanisms18,19
2) Inhibition or reversal of the effect of an opioid by antagonism at opioid receptors, or by other mechanisms15–17
3) Modification of cholinergic, adrenergic, dopaminergic, and serotoninergic activity in the CNS10,13,14,25,26,34,35
Others (including DDIs with unknown mechanism)21
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Abbreviations: CNS, central nervous system; DDI, drug–drug interactions.

Quality of evidence

The included studies have several limitations. Only case reports and case series were identified (Table 2). Most of the reports included in this review provide poor level of evidence. Some may also not represent true DDIs, but other opioid-related complications. However, we decided to include the reports as they were clinically evaluated and presented by the authors and published by the respective journals.

Discussion

Evidence for DDIs involving opioids used for pain treatment in cancer patients is very limited. This systematic review of publications on clinically significant DDIs involving opioid analgesics used for pain treatment in patients with cancer identified only case reports and case series (Table 2).10–41 As no systematic studies were identified, it was not possible to do any statistical analysis.

The three major categories of DDIs identified in the review were increased opioid effects causing sedation and respiratory depression, other CNS toxicities, and decreased opioid effects causing more pain and/or acute withdrawal symptoms. The lack of controlled studies precludes specific conclusions on the risk of DDIs associated with opioids. Still, based upon the reported cases, it can be concluded that physicians treating patients for cancer pain should be aware of and closely monitor patients for DDIs.

The DDIs with increased opioid efficacy, resulting in sedation and respiratory depression, were caused by decreased opioid metabolism,19,24,30,32,36–40 impaired renal excretion,22 or an additional therapy that also relieves pain and possesses sedative and respiratory depressant effect (eg, amitriptyline or intrathecal bupivacaine added to morphine)18,19 (Tables 2 and 3). Most examples identified in the review refer to opioids metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP450), and cytochrome P450 izoenzyme CYP3A4 (CYP3A4) in particular, such as fentanyl, methadone, oxycodone, or buprenorphine, either by concomitant use of CYP3A4 substrates and inhibitors (voriconazole, fluconazole, clarithromycin, cimetidine, and sertraline) or by discontinuation of a CYP3A4 inducer (carbamazepine) (Tables 2 and 4).24,30,32,36–40,44 Morphine pharmacokinetics were reported to be affected by a DDI leading to sedation and respiratory depression only in two case reports.19,22 In one of these publications, morphine was coadministered with amitriptyline and ranitidine,19 two drugs which can affect morphine glucuronidation45,46 (Table 2). Morphine may also indirectly be affected by renal failure caused by another drug.22 Additionally, other drugs with sedative effects can cause pharmacodynamic DDIs with an opioid. A typical observation in clinical practice is the combination of an opioid and a benzodiazepine, both contributing to sedation.

Table 4.

CYP3A4 enzyme inhibitors and inducers reported to have caused clinically significant drug–drug interactions with opioids metabolized by CYP3A4 (oxycodone, methadone, fentanyl) in papers included in the present review24,27–33,37–39,44

Drugs Effect on CYP3A4 activity Resulting effects when coadministered with opioid Resulting effects after withdrawal of interacting drug
CYP3A4 inhibitors
Voriconazole Strong
Itraconazole Strong
Fluconazole
Clarithromycin
Diltiazem		 Moderate
Strong
Moderate		 Decreased rate of opioid metabolism, increased opioid effect, increased risk of opioid toxicity Increased opioid metabolism, decreased clinical effect of opioid
Cyclosporine Weak
Cimetidine Weak
CYP3A4 inducers
Rifampin
Carbamazepine		 Strong
Strong		 Increased metabolism of opioid, requirement for higher opioid doses, deterioration of pain control Decreased rate of opioid metabolism, increased risk of opioid overdose
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CNS symptoms (other than sedation and respiratory depression) associated with opioids included hyperactive or hypoactive delirium with or without hallucinations, serotonin toxicity, myoclonus, hyperalgesia, extrapyramidal symptoms, catatonia, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome (Table 2). CNS symptoms were related both to decreased clearance of an opioid due to decreased metabolism20,24,29,31,36 or impaired renal elimination23 and to a variety of interactions influencing several biological systems in the CNS10,14,21,25,26,34,35 (Table 3). Additionally, two reports presented cases of carbamazepine neurotoxicity related to inhibition of its metabolism by propoxyphene and dextropropoxyphene, opioids with an inhibitory effect on cytochrome P450 enzymes (Table 2).11,12,47

DDIs involving opioids can cause acute exacerbations of pain, or withdrawal symptoms (Table 2). In the identified cases, these symptoms resulted from the addition of an opioid with a mixed agonist–antagonist effect (nalbuphine),15,16 and increased or decreased metabolism of an opioid due to the coadministration of a CYP3A4 inducer (rifampin)27,28 or inhibitor (cyclosporine)33 or cessation of CYP3A4 inhibition (voriconazole)24 (Table 3). Nalbuphine, which is an agonist at kappa opioid receptors and an antagonist at mu opioid receptors,48 reverses the analgesic effect of mu opioid agonists when used concomitantly.15,16 Rifampin is a potent inducer of metabolizing enzymes, including CYP3A4, and may enhance clearance and attenuate the clinical effects of opioids.27,28,49–53 The withdrawal syndrome reported after discontinuation of a low dose of transdermal fentanyl (25 µg/h) was attributed to increased blood concentration of fentanyl (and increased effect) due to coadministration of cyclosporine, a CYP3A4 inhibitor.33 Additionally, one case series described impaired pain control in three patients who were given somatostatin as part of their antineoplastic treatment.17 The exact mechanism for this DDI is not certain. The authors suggest opioid antagonistic effect of somatostatin, demonstrated in animal studies.17,54

Finally, some other important DDIs were identified (Table 2). Prolonged QT time and ventricular arrhythmias (torsades de pointes) were seen in a patient receiving a high dose of methadone, and at the same time, three drugs that were CYP3A4 substrates. The authors suggest that these coadministered drugs may have interfered with methadone metabolism and caused elevation of its level in the blood.41

Multiple complex mechanisms, often not fully understood, underlie DDIs involving opioid analgesics (Table 3). In this review, we refer to the mechanisms of DDIs as they were understood and presented by the authors. In some cases, alternative causes for the observed complications may be found.

The most frequently reported mechanism of DDIs was associated with cytochrome P450 enzyme activity. In our review, the implicated opioids were fentanyl, methadone, oxycodone, and buprenorphine.24,27–33,36–41 Of these, orally administered oxycodone and methadone have been shown to be more susceptible to DDIs related to CYP3A4 or other CYP enzymes in studies in volunteers,49,50,55–58 while fentanyl pharmacokinetics were less affected in volunteer studies.51,59–62 Still, DDIs of fentanyl associated with CYP3A4 activity were reported in seven publications identified by this review.27–33

Buprenorphine metabolism can be increased by strong CYP3A4 inducers as demonstrated in a study with rifampin,52 while the effect of CYP3A4 inhibitors is limited due to complex metabolism (conversion to norbuprenorphine by CYP3A4 and CYP2C8, and glucuronidation) as well as renal and extrarenal elimination of the parent drug and metabolites.50,63 As noted by Davis, the case report involving buprenorphine36 should probably be best interpreted as a result of rapid dose increase before time to maximum concentration or steady state was reached, and not a DDI.43

In our review, most drugs that precipitated serious CYP3A4-mediated DDIs (voriconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, clarithromycin, diltiazem) are also drugs relevant for patients with advanced cancer, supporting the clinical importance of this finding. The vast majority of DDIs occur after a precipitating drug is introduced. The opposite effect of a decreased or increased opioid action may be caused if the use of a CYP3A4 inhibitor or inducer is stopped,24,37 thereby decreasing or increasing the serum concentration of the drug (Table 4). Defining a consequence of stopping a drug as an interaction, is perhaps counterintuitive, but it still represents symptoms related to a pharmacokinetic DDI. Interactions are less frequent if an opioid is introduced in a patient already using another drug. This may be related to titration of the opioid dose to obtain the desired clinical effect. Thus, a DDI may change the dose, but not the clinical outcome.

In cancer patients, the coexistence of other clinical factors can increase the risk of DDIs (Table 2). Impaired renal function is a common predisposing factor of DDIs31,32 and has added importance in cancer pain management because the incidence of renal impairment in patients with advanced cancer is high.64,65 Also, the concomitant use of other drugs and the frequent need to change coadministered drugs and their doses add to the complexity of DDIs of opioids in these patients.5,9

The presence of DDIs seems to be underreported. This lack of formal evidence may have several explanations. First, the DDI may not be detected, or the symptoms are believed to be caused by the cancer disease and, therefore, not recognized as drug related. Second, DDIs are mostly observed by clinicians, who often do not have the time, the experience, or the interest to publish clinical observations. Third, several DDIs, even if not reported in the literature, may be considered as frequent and part of common knowledge, and therefore, not reported. Finally, many journals only occasionally publish case reports and, perhaps, case reports are more often published in national journals and therefore not identified by a search strategy excluding non-English papers.

Conclusion

For obvious ethical reasons, there are no randomized controlled trials or other well-designed controlled studies exploring DDIs. Recommendations must therefore be based upon cases reporting serious adverse drug reactions and basic knowledge about drug mechanisms. The cases identified in this systematic review can give some suggestions for clinical practice:

  • The combined use of an opioid and another drug with CNS depressant effect (eg, amitriptyline) increases the risk of acute opioid toxicity and respiratory depression. Such drugs should be carefully titrated according to effect.

  • Opioids with antagonistic effects at the mu opioid receptor (eg, nalbuphine) should not be coadministered with another opioid analgesic.

  • The concomitant use of an opioid and a drug, which affects the activity of cholinergic, dopaminergic, and/or serotonergic systems in the CNS (eg, selective serotonin inhibitors), can cause CNS-related complications (eg, delirium and serotonin syndrome) and should, therefore, be monitored carefully.

  • Introduction of a CYP3A4 inhibitor in a patient treated with fentanyl, oxycodone, or methadone may result in opioid overdose and increased opioid toxicity (Table 4). Caution has to be undertaken when such drugs are implemented. The use of a major CYP450 inducer may impair pain treatment (Table 4). Opposite effects should be expected when these drugs are stopped (Table 4).

  • Finally, the physician should recognize the risk for DDIs of opioids, monitor the patients carefully for interactions, and if possible avoid polypharmacy.

Acknowledgments

This systematic review was performed as part of the work to update the European Association for Palliative Care Guidelines for Cancer Pain Management. We thank Ingrid Riphagen for help with electronic database searches.

Footnotes

Disclosure

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.

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