Drug interactions
Buprenorphine + Eluxadoline
Severity: Major
Buprenorphine and Eluxadoline: 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
Eluxadoline is a mu-opioid agonist used for diarrhea-predominant IBS and can cause severe constipation and pancreatitis-related events. Adding buprenorphine, which also slows gut transit, increases the risk of serious constipation and related complications.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine and Eluxadoline 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; Eluxadoline belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Additive opioid-receptor mediated reduction in gastrointestinal motility.
What to do
Avoid combining where possible; the eluxadoline label advises against use with other drugs that cause constipation. If both are required, monitor bowel function closely and stop eluxadoline if severe constipation develops.
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 Eluxadoline
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine with Eluxadoline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Buprenorphine and Eluxadoline 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. Eluxadoline is a mu-opioid agonist used for diarrhea-predominant IBS and can cause severe constipation and pancreatitis-related events. Adding buprenorphine, which also slows gut transit, increases the risk of serious constipation and related complications.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Eluxadoline?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid combining where possible; the eluxadoline label advises against use with other drugs that cause constipation. If both are required, monitor bowel function closely and stop eluxadoline if severe constipation develops.
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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