What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Meperidine and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir
Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir's FDA label of February 19, 2026 names meperidine in its drug interactions section; the meperidine labels PlainMeds reads (2) do not name nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. The nirmatrelvir/ritonavir label: “Careful monitoring of therapeutic and adverse effects is recommended when fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone, or meperidine is concomitantly administered with PAXLOVID. …”
Check it at the source: the meperidine FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 29, 2025, EPIC PHARMA, LLC); the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 19, 2026, Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc).
What does the meperidine label say about nirmatrelvir/ritonavir?
Meperidine's label (effective November 29, 2025) and its 1 other brand-application label do not name nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.
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 nirmatrelvir/ritonavir label say about meperidine?
Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir label, drug interactionsDrug Class: Narcotic analgesics; Drugs within Class: fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone, meperidine; Effect on Concentration: ↑ fentanyl ↑ hydrocodone ↑ oxycodone ↑ meperidine; Clinical Comments: Careful monitoring of therapeutic and adverse effects (including potentially fatal respiratory depression) is recommended when fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone, or meperidine is concomitantly administered with PAXLOVID. If concomitant use with PAXLOVID is necessary, consider a dosage reduction of the narcotic analgesic and monitor patients closely at frequent intervals. Refer to the individual product prescribing information for more information.
Source: FDA drug label (Paxlovid), Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc, effective February 19, 2026 (SPL set 8a99d6d6-fd9e-45bb-b1bf-48c7f761232a), 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.
These are the ingredient's own label sentences, repeated in a combination product's or a biosimilar's label. The ingredient pair sets them out with both labels side by side.
Both medicines on the record
| Meperidine | Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain | COVID-19 |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.157 per mL 50 mg/5 mL solution | $49.24 per unit 300-100 mg dose pack |
| 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