What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Meperidine and pregabalin
Meperidine's FDA label of November 29, 2025 names pregabalin in its drug interactions section; pregabalin'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 meperidine FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 29, 2025, EPIC PHARMA, LLC); the pregabalin FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 15, 2025, Viatris Specialty LLC).
What does the meperidine label say about pregabalin?
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. … 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
What does the pregabalin label say about meperidine?
Pregabalin's label does not name meperidine itself; it warns about its class (Opioids (opioid agonists)):
Pregabalin label, warnings and precautionsThere is evidence from case reports, human studies, and animal studies associating LYRICA with serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression when co-administered with central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including opioids, or in the setting of underlying respiratory impairment.
Pregabalin label, warnings and precautionsWhen the decision is made to co-prescribe LYRICA with another CNS depressant, particularly an opioid, or to prescribe LYRICA to patients with underlying respiratory impairment, monitor patients for symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation, and consider initiating LYRICA at a low dose.
Source: FDA drug label (Lyrica), NDA021446 (Upjohn), as published by Viatris Specialty LLC, effective April 15, 2025 (SPL set d4734e7d-5079-455e-8ff5-8f4539c998a9), 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
| Meperidine | Pregabalin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain | Nerve pain and fibromyalgia, Seizures and epilepsy |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.157 per mL 50 mg/5 mL solution | $0.0571 per capsule 100 mg capsule |
| Shortage now | Listed; available | No current entry |
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