Drug interactions
Buprenorphine + Lopinavir
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine and Lopinavir: 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, especially with other risk factors. Lopinavir/ritonavir also inhibits CYP3A4 and may raise buprenorphine levels.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine and Lopinavir 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; Lopinavir belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation, with CYP3A4 inhibition by ritonavir-boosted lopinavir raising buprenorphine exposure.
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG and correct potassium and magnesium. Monitor QTc and for opioid excess, and reassess the combination if the QTc lengthens markedly.
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 Lopinavir
- Alfuzosin + Lopinavir Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Lopinavir Contraindicated
- Cisapride + Lopinavir Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Lopinavir Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Lopinavir Contraindicated
- Eplerenone + Lopinavir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine with Lopinavir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine and Lopinavir 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, especially with other risk factors. Lopinavir/ritonavir also inhibits CYP3A4 and may raise buprenorphine levels.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Lopinavir?
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 and correct potassium and magnesium. Monitor QTc and for opioid excess, and reassess the combination if the QTc lengthens markedly.
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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