What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Meperidine and ziprasidone
Ziprasidone's FDA label of July 20, 2026 names meperidine in its warnings and precautions section; meperidine's label does not name ziprasidone itself but warns about its class (Atypical antipsychotics). The ziprasidone label: “The risk is increased with concomitant use of other serotonergic drugs and with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin, i.e., monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).”
Check it at the source: the meperidine FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 29, 2025, EPIC PHARMA, LLC); the ziprasidone FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 20, 2026, Apotex Corp.).
What does the meperidine label say about ziprasidone?
Meperidine's label does not name ziprasidone itself; it warns about its class (Atypical antipsychotics):
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).
Meperidine label, drug interactionsMonitor patients closely for signs of respiratory depression and sedation. Benzodiazepines and other sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin), other opioids, alcohol.
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 ziprasidone label say about meperidine?
Ziprasidone label, warnings and precautionsThe risk is increased with concomitant use of other serotonergic drugs (including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, tramadol, meperidine, methadone, lithium, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. John’s Wort) and with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin, i.e., monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) [see Contraindications ( 4.3 ), Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 ), Drug Interactions ( 7.3 )].
Source: FDA drug label (ziprasidone hydrochloride), Apotex Corp., effective July 20, 2026 (SPL set ccfd5ba2-7271-f3dd-4c98-7418c1a4b54a), 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 | Ziprasidone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain | Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.157 per mL 50 mg/5 mL solution | $0.269 per capsule 20 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