Drug interactions
Buprenorphine + Difenoxin
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine and Difenoxin: 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
Difenoxin is an opioid-related antidiarrheal, and buprenorphine may reduce its effect or precipitate withdrawal in opioid-dependent patients. Additive CNS depression is also possible.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine and Difenoxin 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.
Buprenorphine belongs to Musculoskeletal; Difenoxin belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Mu-opioid receptor competition by a partial agonist, with additive CNS depression.
What to do
Use a non-opioid antidiarrheal where possible. Monitor for sedation, withdrawal and lack of antidiarrheal effect if both are given.
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 Difenoxin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine with Difenoxin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine and Difenoxin 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. Difenoxin is an opioid-related antidiarrheal, and buprenorphine may reduce its effect or precipitate withdrawal in opioid-dependent patients. Additive CNS depression is also possible.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Difenoxin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use a non-opioid antidiarrheal where possible. Monitor for sedation, withdrawal and lack of antidiarrheal effect if both are given.
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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