Drug interactions
Buprenorphine + Marijuana
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine and Marijuana: 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
Cannabis has sedative and psychomotor-impairing effects that add to those of buprenorphine. The combination may increase drowsiness, impaired judgement and, less commonly, respiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine and Marijuana 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.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depressant effects of cannabinoids and opioids.
What to do
Counsel patients to avoid driving and hazardous tasks and to report excess sedation. Review cannabis use when adjusting buprenorphine doses.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine with Marijuana?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine and Marijuana 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. Cannabis has sedative and psychomotor-impairing effects that add to those of buprenorphine. The combination may increase drowsiness, impaired judgement and, less commonly, respiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Marijuana?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Counsel patients to avoid driving and hazardous tasks and to report excess sedation. Review cannabis use when adjusting buprenorphine doses.
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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