Drug General Information (ID: DDI15FWAHO)
  Drug Name Tapentadol Drug Info Methylene blue Drug Info
  Drug Type Small molecule Small molecule
  Therapeutic Class Narcotic Analgesics Antidotes/Mao Inhibitors
  Structure

 Mechanism of Tapentadol-Methylene blue Interaction (Severity Level: Major)
     Additive serotonergic effects Click to Show/Hide Mechanism Graph
Could Not Find 2D Structure
      Drug Name Tapentadol Methylene blue
      Mechanism Serotonergic effects
Opioid receptor mu  Agonist
Serotonergic effects
Monoamine oxidase non-selective  Inhibitor
      Key Mechanism Factor 1
Factor Name Opioid receptor mu
×
Structure Sequence
MDSSAAPTNASNCTDALAYSSCSPAPSPGSWVNLSHLDGNLSDPCGPNRTDLGGRDSLCPPTGSPSMITAITIMALYSIVCVVGLFGNFLVMYVIVRYTKMKTATNIYIFNLALADALATSTLPFQSVNYLMGTWPFGTILCKIVISIDYYNMFTSIFTLCTMSVDRYIAVCHPVKALDFRTPRNAKIINVCNWILSSAIGLPVMFMATTKYRQGSIDCTLTFSHPTWYWENLLKICVFIFAFIMPVLIITVCYGLMILRLKSVRMLSGSKEKDRNLRRITRMVLVVVAVFIVCWTPIHIYVIIKALVTIPETTFQTVSWHFCIALGYTNSCLNPVLYAFLDENFKRCFREFCIPTSSNIEQQNSTRIRQNTRDHPSTANTVDRTNHQLENLEAETAPLP
Gene Name OPRM1
Uniprot ID OPRM_HUMAN
KEGG Pathway hsa:4988
Protein Family G-protein coupled receptor 1 family
Protein Function
Receptor for endogenous opioids such as beta-endorphin and endomorphin. Receptor for natural and synthetic opioids including morphine, heroin, DAMGO, fentanyl, etorphine, buprenorphin and methadone (PubMed:7905839, PubMed:7957926, PubMed:7891175, PubMed:12589820, PubMed:9689128). Agonist binding to the receptor induces coupling to an inactive GDP-bound heterotrimeric G-protein complex and subsequent exchange of GDP for GTP in the G-protein alpha subunit leading to dissociation of the G-protein complex with the free GTP-bound G-protein alpha and the G-protein beta-gamma dimer activating downstream cellular effectors (PubMed:7905839). The agonist- and cell type-specific activity is predominantly coupled to pertussis toxin-sensitive G(i) and G(o) G alpha proteins, GNAI1, GNAI2, GNAI3 and GNAO1 isoforms Alpha-1 and Alpha-2, and to a lesser extent to pertussis toxin-insensitive G alpha proteins GNAZ and GNA15 (PubMed:12068084). They mediate an array of downstream cellular responses, including inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity and both N-type and L-type calcium channels, activation of inward rectifying potassium channels, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phospholipase C (PLC), phosphoinositide/protein kinase (PKC), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and regulation of NF-kappa-B. Also couples to adenylate cyclase stimulatory G alpha proteins. The selective temporal coupling to G-proteins and subsequent signaling can be regulated by RGSZ proteins, such as RGS9, RGS17 and RGS4. Phosphorylation by members of the GPRK subfamily of Ser/Thr protein kinases and association with beta-arrestins is involved in short-term receptor desensitization. Beta-arrestins associate with the GPRK-phosphorylated receptor and uncouple it from the G-protein thus terminating signal transduction. The phosphorylated receptor is internalized through endocytosis via clathrin-coated pits which involves beta-arrestins. The activation of the ERK pathway occurs either in a G-protein-dependent or a beta-arrestin-dependent manner and is regulated by agonist-specific receptor phosphorylation. Acts as a class A G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) which dissociates from beta-arrestin at or near the plasma membrane and undergoes rapid recycling. Receptor down-regulation pathways are varying with the agonist and occur dependent or independent of G-protein coupling. Endogenous ligands induce rapid desensitization, endocytosis and recycling whereas morphine induces only low desensitization and endocytosis. Heterooligomerization with other GPCRs can modulate agonist binding, signaling and trafficking properties. Involved in neurogenesis. Isoform 12 couples to GNAS and is proposed to be involved in excitatory effects (PubMed:20525224). Isoform 16 and isoform 17 do not bind agonists but may act through oligomerization with binding-competent OPRM1 isoforms and reduce their ligand binding activity (PubMed:16580639).
    Click to Show/Hide
      Key Mechanism Factor 2
Factor Name Monoamine oxidase Structure Sequence
Protein Family Flavin monoamine oxidase family
Protein Function
Catalyzes the oxidative deamination of primary and some secondary amine such as neurotransmitters, with concomitant reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide and has important functions in the metabolism of neuroactive and vasoactive amines in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues (PubMed:20493079, PubMed:8316221, PubMed:18391214, PubMed:24169519). Preferentially oxidizes serotonin (PubMed:20493079, PubMed:24169519). Also catalyzes the oxidative deamination of kynuramine to 3-(2-aminophenyl)-3-oxopropanal that can spontaneously condense to 4-hydroxyquinoline (By similarity).
    Click to Show/Hide
      Mechanism Description
  • Additive serotonergic effects by the combination of Tapentadol and Methylene blue 

Recommended Action
      Management Serotonergic agents should not be used in patients receiving methylene blue intravenously. Most serotonergic psychiatric drugs should be stopped 1 to 2 weeks (i.e., 4 to 5 half-lives) prior to treatment with methylene blue if possible, while others such as fluoxetine may require discontinuation up to 5 weeks in advance due to its prolonged half-life.

References
1 Boyer EW, Shannon M "The serotonin syndrome." N Engl J Med 352 (2005): 1112-20. [PMID: 15784664]
2 Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics.".
3 Gillman PK "Methylene blue and serotonin toxicity: definite causal link." Psychosomatics 51 (2010): 448-9. [PMID: 20833947]
4 Gillman PK "Methylene blue is a potent monoamine oxidase inhibitor." Can J Anaesth 55 (2008): 311-2 author reply 312. [PMID: 18451123]
5 Heritier Barras AC, Walder B, Seeck M "Serotonin syndrome following Methylene Blue infusion: a rare complication of antidepressant therapy." J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 81 (2010): 1412-3. [PMID: 20547626]
6 Khavandi A, Whitaker J, Gonna H "Serotonin toxicity precipitated by concomitant use of citalopram and methylene blue." Med J Aust 189 (2008): 534-5. [PMID: 18976207]
7 Ng BK, Cameron AJ "The role of methylene blue in serotonin syndrome: a systematic review." Psychosomatics 51 (2010): 194-200. [PMID: 20484716]
8 Ng BK, Cameron AJ, Liang R, Rahman H. Serotonin syndrome following methylene blue infusion during parathyroidectomy: a case report and literature review.?Can J Anaesth. 2008;55(1):36-41. [PMID: 18166746]
9 FDA. U.S. Food and Drug Administration "FDA Drug Safety Communication: Serious CNS reactions possible when linezolid (Ayvox) is given to patients taking certain psychiatric medications.".
10 FDA. U.S. Food and Drug Administration "FDA Drug Safety Communication: Serious CNS reactions possible when methylene blue is given to patients taking certain psychiatric medications.".