Drug interactions
Buprenorphine + Clobazam
Severity: Major
Buprenorphine and Clobazam: major 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
Benzodiazepines combined with opioids such as buprenorphine can cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death. Regulators carry boxed warnings for this class combination.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine and Clobazam can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Buprenorphine belongs to Musculoskeletal; Clobazam belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression via opioid receptors and GABA-A receptor modulation.
What to do
Reserve concurrent use for patients without alternatives, using the lowest doses and shortest duration, and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression. Counsel patients and caregivers on warning signs, and consider naloxone availability.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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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 Clobazam
- Amobarbital + Clobazam Major
- Butorphanol + Clobazam Major
- Carisoprodol + Clobazam Major
- Chloral hydrate + Clobazam Major
- Clobazam + Clozapine Major
- Clobazam + Codeine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine with Clobazam?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Buprenorphine and Clobazam can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Benzodiazepines combined with opioids such as buprenorphine can cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death. Regulators carry boxed warnings for this class combination.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Clobazam?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Reserve concurrent use for patients without alternatives, using the lowest doses and shortest duration, and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression. Counsel patients and caregivers on warning signs, and consider naloxone availability.
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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