Drug interactions
Buprenorphine + Levetiracetam
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine and Levetiracetam: 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
Both drugs cause CNS depression, so combining them can increase drowsiness, dizziness and impaired psychomotor performance. The risk of respiratory depression from buprenorphine may be modestly increased.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine and Levetiracetam 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; Levetiracetam belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive central nervous system depressant effects; no significant pharmacokinetic interaction is established.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and monitor for excessive sedation and respiratory depression, especially when starting or increasing either drug. Counsel patients about driving and operating machinery.
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 Levetiracetam
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine with Levetiracetam?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine and Levetiracetam 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. Both drugs cause CNS depression, so combining them can increase drowsiness, dizziness and impaired psychomotor performance. The risk of respiratory depression from buprenorphine may be modestly increased.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Levetiracetam?
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 doses and monitor for excessive sedation and respiratory depression, especially when starting or increasing either drug. Counsel patients about driving and operating machinery.
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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