Drug interactions
Buprenorphine + Levofloxacin
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine and Levofloxacin: 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 can prolong the QT interval, so combined use may raise the risk of torsades de pointes, particularly with other risk factors. Buprenorphine's effect is modest, but levofloxacin carries a recognized QT warning.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine and Levofloxacin 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; Levofloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Additive prolongation of cardiac repolarization through effects on cardiac potassium channels.
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors and correct potassium and magnesium before starting. Choose a non-QT-prolonging antibiotic if the patient has other QT risks.
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 Levofloxacin
- Dronedarone + Levofloxacin Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Levofloxacin Contraindicated
- Levofloxacin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Levofloxacin + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Levofloxacin + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Levofloxacin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine with Levofloxacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine and Levofloxacin 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 can prolong the QT interval, so combined use may raise the risk of torsades de pointes, particularly with other risk factors. Buprenorphine's effect is modest, but levofloxacin carries a recognized QT warning.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Levofloxacin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Obtain a baseline ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors and correct potassium and magnesium before starting. Choose a non-QT-prolonging antibiotic if the patient has other QT risks.
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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