Drug interactions
Buprenorphine + Diphenhydramine
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine and Diphenhydramine: 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
Diphenhydramine is strongly sedating and can intensify the drowsiness, dizziness and cognitive impairment caused by buprenorphine. Older patients are particularly vulnerable to confusion and falls.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine and Diphenhydramine 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; Diphenhydramine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from opioid receptor agonism and central H1 receptor antagonism.
What to do
Monitor for excess sedation and avoid use at bedtime doses in frail patients. Choose a non-sedating antihistamine when possible.
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 Diphenhydramine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine with Diphenhydramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine and Diphenhydramine 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. Diphenhydramine is strongly sedating and can intensify the drowsiness, dizziness and cognitive impairment caused by buprenorphine. Older patients are particularly vulnerable to confusion and falls.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Diphenhydramine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for excess sedation and avoid use at bedtime doses in frail patients. Choose a non-sedating antihistamine when possible.
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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