Drug interactions
Buprenorphine + Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates
Severity: Contraindicated
Buprenorphine and Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates: contraindicated 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
Oxybates are potent CNS depressants, and combining them with opioids can cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death. Labeling for oxybates restricts co-use with other CNS depressants.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine and Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression via GABA-B/GHB receptor agonism and mu-opioid agonism.
What to do
Avoid the combination. If an opioid is unavoidable, consider interrupting oxybate treatment, and monitor closely for respiratory depression.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Buprenorphine
- Alvimopan + Buprenorphine Contraindicated
- Buprenorphine + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Buprenorphine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Buprenorphine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Buprenorphine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Buprenorphine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine with Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Buprenorphine and Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Oxybates are potent CNS depressants, and combining them with opioids can cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death. Labeling for oxybates restricts co-use with other CNS depressants.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination. If an opioid is unavoidable, consider interrupting oxybate treatment, and monitor closely for respiratory depression.
What other medicines interact with Buprenorphine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Buprenorphine with, for example, Alvimopan, Olanzapine / samidorphan, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Buprenorphine page.
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