Drug interactions
Buprenorphine + Escitalopram
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine and Escitalopram: 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
Escitalopram causes dose-related QT prolongation and buprenorphine may add a small effect. Both are also serotonergic to some degree, so serotonin syndrome is a possible concern.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine and Escitalopram 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; Escitalopram belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation and additive serotonergic activity.
What to do
Keep escitalopram at the lowest effective dose and consider an ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors. Monitor for agitation, tremor, hyperthermia and clonus.
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 Escitalopram
- Cisapride + Escitalopram Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Escitalopram Contraindicated
- Escitalopram + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Escitalopram + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Escitalopram + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Escitalopram + Pimozide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine with Escitalopram?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine and Escitalopram 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. Escitalopram causes dose-related QT prolongation and buprenorphine may add a small effect. Both are also serotonergic to some degree, so serotonin syndrome is a possible concern.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Escitalopram?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Keep escitalopram at the lowest effective dose and consider an ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors. Monitor for agitation, tremor, hyperthermia and clonus.
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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