Drug interactions
Buprenorphine + Nelfinavir
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine and Nelfinavir: 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
Nelfinavir inhibits CYP3A4 and may raise buprenorphine concentrations. This may lead to increased sedation or opioid effects.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine and Nelfinavir 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; Nelfinavir belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
CYP3A4 inhibition reduces buprenorphine metabolism.
What to do
Monitor for sedation and opioid toxicity, and decrease the buprenorphine dose if symptoms appear.
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 Nelfinavir
- Alfuzosin + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Ergotamine + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Flibanserin + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine with Nelfinavir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine and Nelfinavir 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. Nelfinavir inhibits CYP3A4 and may raise buprenorphine concentrations. This may lead to increased sedation or opioid effects.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Nelfinavir?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for sedation and opioid toxicity, and decrease the buprenorphine dose if symptoms appear.
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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