Drug interactions
Buprenorphine + Metaxalone
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine and Metaxalone: 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
Metaxalone is a sedating skeletal muscle relaxant, and together with buprenorphine it can cause additive drowsiness, dizziness and impaired coordination. The risk of falls and respiratory depression rises in older or debilitated patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine and Metaxalone 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; Metaxalone belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depressant effects.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses for the shortest duration and monitor for oversedation. Warn patients not to drive or drink alcohol.
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 Metaxalone
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine with Metaxalone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine and Metaxalone 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. Metaxalone is a sedating skeletal muscle relaxant, and together with buprenorphine it can cause additive drowsiness, dizziness and impaired coordination. The risk of falls and respiratory depression rises in older or debilitated patients.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Metaxalone?
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 for the shortest duration and monitor for oversedation. Warn patients not to drive or drink alcohol.
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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