Drug interactions
Azithromycin + Buprenorphine
Severity: Moderate
Azithromycin 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
Azithromycin can modestly prolong the QT interval and buprenorphine may add to this effect. The risk of torsades is small but rises with other risk factors.
What this interaction means in plain words
Azithromycin 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.
Azithromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Buprenorphine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation.
What to do
Check the ECG and electrolytes in patients with cardiac risk factors or other QT-prolonging drugs. Consider a non-macrolide alternative in high-risk patients.
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
Other interactions of Azithromycin
- Azithromycin + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Domperidone Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Piperaquine Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Azithromycin with Buprenorphine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Azithromycin 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. Azithromycin can modestly prolong the QT interval and buprenorphine may add to this effect. The risk of torsades is small but rises with other risk factors.
How serious is the interaction between Azithromycin 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 the ECG and electrolytes in patients with cardiac risk factors or other QT-prolonging drugs. Consider a non-macrolide alternative in high-risk patients.
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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