Drug interactions
Buprenorphine + Nevirapine
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine and Nevirapine: 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
Nevirapine induces CYP3A4 and may lower buprenorphine concentrations, which can reduce analgesia or provoke withdrawal symptoms in opioid-dependent patients. The effect is generally modest and variable between patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine and Nevirapine 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; Nevirapine belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
CYP3A4 induction by nevirapine increases buprenorphine metabolism.
What to do
Monitor for withdrawal symptoms, cravings or loss of pain control after starting or stopping nevirapine. Adjust the buprenorphine dose according to clinical response.
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 Nevirapine
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Nevirapine Contraindicated
- Nevirapine + Ranolazine Contraindicated
- Nevirapine + St john's wort Contraindicated
- Abemaciclib + Nevirapine Major
- Acalabrutinib + Nevirapine Major
- Amobarbital + Nevirapine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine with Nevirapine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine and Nevirapine 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. Nevirapine induces CYP3A4 and may lower buprenorphine concentrations, which can reduce analgesia or provoke withdrawal symptoms in opioid-dependent patients. The effect is generally modest and variable between patients.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Nevirapine?
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 withdrawal symptoms, cravings or loss of pain control after starting or stopping nevirapine. Adjust the buprenorphine dose according to clinical response.
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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