Drug interactions
Artemether / lumefantrine + Buprenorphine
Severity: Moderate
Artemether / lumefantrine and Buprenorphine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Artemether-lumefantrine can prolong the QT interval, and buprenorphine adds to this effect. Risk is higher with electrolyte disturbances, heart disease or other QT-prolonging drugs.
What this interaction means in plain words
Artemether / lumefantrine and Buprenorphine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation; lumefantrine is also a CYP3A4 substrate and buprenorphine is metabolized by CYP3A4.
What to do
Check baseline ECG and electrolytes and monitor QTc during the short antimalarial course. Treat malaria with a non-QT-prolonging alternative if the patient has other risk factors.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Buprenorphine
- Alvimopan + Buprenorphine Contraindicated
- Buprenorphine + Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates Contraindicated
- Buprenorphine + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Buprenorphine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Buprenorphine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Buprenorphine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Artemether / lumefantrine with Buprenorphine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Artemether / lumefantrine and Buprenorphine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Artemether-lumefantrine can prolong the QT interval, and buprenorphine adds to this effect. Risk is higher with electrolyte disturbances, heart disease or other QT-prolonging drugs.
How serious is the interaction between Artemether / lumefantrine and Buprenorphine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check baseline ECG and electrolytes and monitor QTc during the short antimalarial course. Treat malaria with a non-QT-prolonging alternative if the patient has other risk factors.
What other medicines interact with Buprenorphine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Buprenorphine with, for example, Alvimopan, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Olanzapine / samidorphan. The full list is on the Buprenorphine page.
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