What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Gabapentin and meperidine
Meperidine's FDA label of November 29, 2025 names gabapentin in its drug interactions section; gabapentin's label does not name meperidine itself but warns about its class (Opioids (opioid agonists)). The meperidine label: “Due to additive pharmacologic effect, the concomitant use of benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, can increase the risk of hypotension respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, and death.”
Check it at the source: the gabapentin FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 12, 2026, Viatris Specialty LLC); the meperidine FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 29, 2025, EPIC PHARMA, LLC).
What does the gabapentin label say about meperidine?
Gabapentin's label does not name meperidine itself; it warns about its class (Opioids (opioid agonists)):
Gabapentin label, warnings and precautionsThere is evidence from case reports, human studies, and animal studies associating gabapentin with serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression when coadministered with CNS depressants, including opioids, or in the setting of underlying respiratory impairment.
Gabapentin label, warnings and precautionsThere is evidence from case reports, human studies, and animal studies associating gabapentin with serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression when co-administrated with central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including opioids, or in the setting of underlying respiratory impairment.
Source: FDA drug label (Neurontin), Viatris Specialty LLC, effective May 12, 2026 (SPL set 97935fd9-1d4a-43b6-a5d9-de994591187b), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the meperidine label say about gabapentin?
Meperidine label, drug interactionsBenzodiazepines and Other Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants Clinical Impact: Due to additive pharmacologic effect, the concomitant use of benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, can increase the risk of hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, and death. … sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin), other opioids, alcohol.
Meperidine label, warnings and precautionsRisks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death may result from the concomitant use of meperidine hydrochloride tablets with benzodiazepines and/or other CNS depressants, including alcohol (e.g., non-benzodiazepine sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids [gabapentin or pregabalin], and other opioids).
Source: FDA drug label (Demerol, NDA021171), Hospira, Inc., effective July 20, 2026 (SPL set b31d1308-28c3-43f4-e0a6-2f3ed76b8975), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Meperidine Hydrochloride), EPIC PHARMA, LLC, effective November 29, 2025 (SPL set fae5cc34-5917-4445-9516-25f97ffca8db), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Gabapentin | Meperidine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Nerve pain and fibromyalgia, Seizures and epilepsy | Pain |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.0218 per capsule 100 mg capsule | $0.157 per mL 50 mg/5 mL solution |
| Shortage now | No current entry | Listed; available |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once