What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Ritonavir and sufentanil
Sufentanil's FDA label of June 1, 2026 names ritonavir in its drug interactions section; ritonavir's label does not name sufentanil itself but warns about its class (Opioids (opioid agonists)). The sufentanil label: “… azole-antifungal agents (e.g., ketoconazole), and protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir), may increase plasma concentrations of sufentanil and prolong opioid adverse reactions, which may exacerbate fatal respiratory …”
Check it at the source: the ritonavir FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 23, 2026, AbbVie Inc.); the sufentanil FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 1, 2026, Hospira, Inc.).
What does the ritonavir label say about sufentanil?
Ritonavir's label does not name sufentanil itself; it warns about its class (Opioids (opioid agonists)):
Ritonavir label, drug interactionsAnalgesics, Opioid: tramadol, propoxyphene, methadone, fentanyl ↑ analgesics ↓ methadone ↑ fentanyl A dose decrease may be needed for these drugs when co-administered with ritonavir.
Source: FDA drug label (Norvir), AbbVie Inc., effective July 23, 2026 (SPL set 2849298e-de6e-47bb-8194-56e075b33fc3), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the sufentanil label say about ritonavir?
Sufentanil label, drug interactionsMacrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin), azole-antifungal agents (e.g., ketoconazole), protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir), grapefruit juice.
Sufentanil label, warnings and precautionsUse or Discontinuation of Cytochrome P450 3A4 Inhibitors and Inducers Concomitant use of Sufentanil Citrate Injection with a CYP3A4 inhibitor, such as macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin), azole-antifungal agents (e.g., ketoconazole), and protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir), may increase plasma concentrations of sufentanil and prolong opioid adverse reactions, which may exacerbate fatal respiratory depression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ], particularly when an inhibitor is added after a stable dose of Sufentanil Citrate Injection is achieved.
Source: FDA drug label (Sufentanil Citrate), Hospira, Inc., effective June 1, 2026 (SPL set 20293943-46ff-4345-1aa4-929b4e017a25), 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
| Ritonavir | Sufentanil | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | HIV | n/a |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.607 per tablet 100 mg tablet | n/a |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | In shortage |
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