Drug interactions
Buprenorphine + Etomidate
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine and Etomidate: 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
Etomidate is a sedative-hypnotic anesthetic induction agent, and buprenorphine adds to sedation and respiratory depression. The combination is routine in anesthesia but needs monitored settings.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine and Etomidate 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; Etomidate belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression via opioid receptors and GABA-A modulation.
What to do
Use only where airway management and ventilatory support are available, and titrate etomidate to effect. Monitor oxygenation and ventilation continuously.
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 Etomidate
- Alprazolam + Etomidate Moderate
- Amitriptyline + Etomidate Moderate
- Amobarbital + Etomidate Moderate
- Azelastine + Etomidate Moderate
- Baclofen + Etomidate Moderate
- Brompheniramine + Etomidate Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine with Etomidate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine and Etomidate 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. Etomidate is a sedative-hypnotic anesthetic induction agent, and buprenorphine adds to sedation and respiratory depression. The combination is routine in anesthesia but needs monitored settings.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Etomidate?
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 only where airway management and ventilatory support are available, and titrate etomidate to effect. Monitor oxygenation and ventilation continuously.
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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