Drug interactions
Buprenorphine + Doxepin
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine and Doxepin: 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
Doxepin, a tricyclic antidepressant, can prolong the QT interval at higher doses and is sedating. Combined with buprenorphine, it may increase arrhythmia risk and additive drowsiness.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine and Doxepin 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; Doxepin belongs to Dermatology.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation and additive CNS depression.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doxepin dose and monitor QTc in patients with cardiac risk factors. Monitor for sedation and respiratory depression.
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 Doxepin
- Doxepin + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine with Doxepin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine and Doxepin 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. Doxepin, a tricyclic antidepressant, can prolong the QT interval at higher doses and is sedating. Combined with buprenorphine, it may increase arrhythmia risk and additive drowsiness.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Doxepin?
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 the lowest effective doxepin dose and monitor QTc in patients with cardiac risk factors. Monitor for sedation and respiratory depression.
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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