Drug interactions
Buprenorphine + Buprenorphine long-acting
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine and Buprenorphine long-acting: 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
Giving oral or sublingual buprenorphine alongside a long-acting buprenorphine injection duplicates the same opioid and adds to exposure. This can cause excess sedation and respiratory depression, although supplemental dosing is sometimes done deliberately during transitions.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine and Buprenorphine long-acting 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
Duplicate partial mu-opioid agonist therapy resulting in additive pharmacodynamic effects.
What to do
Avoid unplanned duplication and use supplemental buprenorphine only under prescriber direction with the total dose accounted for. Monitor for sedation and respiratory depression, especially with other CNS depressants.
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 Buprenorphine with Buprenorphine long-acting?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine and Buprenorphine long-acting 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. Giving oral or sublingual buprenorphine alongside a long-acting buprenorphine injection duplicates the same opioid and adds to exposure. This can cause excess sedation and respiratory depression, although supplemental dosing is sometimes done deliberately during transitions.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Buprenorphine long-acting?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid unplanned duplication and use supplemental buprenorphine only under prescriber direction with the total dose accounted for. Monitor for sedation and respiratory depression, especially with other CNS depressants.
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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