Drug interactions
Buprenorphine + Leuprolide
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine and Leuprolide: 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
Androgen deprivation with leuprolide can prolong the QT interval, and buprenorphine may add a small effect. The concern applies mainly to older patients with cardiac disease or electrolyte abnormalities.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine and Leuprolide 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; Leuprolide belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation through androgen deprivation effects on repolarization and buprenorphine ion channel effects.
What to do
Check a baseline ECG and electrolytes and repeat if other QT-prolonging drugs are added. Consider an alternative analgesic if the QTc is markedly prolonged.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Buprenorphine and Leuprolide, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Leuprolide
- Leuprolide + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Leuprolide + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Leuprolide Major
- Arsenic trioxide + Leuprolide Major
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Leuprolide Major
- Disopyramide + Leuprolide Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine with Leuprolide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine and Leuprolide 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. Androgen deprivation with leuprolide can prolong the QT interval, and buprenorphine may add a small effect. The concern applies mainly to older patients with cardiac disease or electrolyte abnormalities.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Leuprolide?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check a baseline ECG and electrolytes and repeat if other QT-prolonging drugs are added. Consider an alternative analgesic if the QTc is markedly prolonged.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
