Drug interactions
Buprenorphine + Oxcarbazepine
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine and Oxcarbazepine: 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
Oxcarbazepine is a weak to moderate CYP3A4 inducer and may reduce buprenorphine exposure, potentially causing reduced analgesic or maintenance effect or withdrawal symptoms. Oxcarbazepine also adds to sedation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine and Oxcarbazepine 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; Oxcarbazepine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Induction of CYP3A4 increases buprenorphine metabolism, with additive CNS depression.
What to do
Monitor for withdrawal symptoms or inadequate pain control and increase the buprenorphine dose if needed. Reassess the dose if oxcarbazepine is stopped.
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 Oxcarbazepine
- Cabotegravir + Oxcarbazepine Contraindicated
- Oxcarbazepine + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Oxcarbazepine Major
- Atazanavir + Oxcarbazepine Major
- Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen + Oxcarbazepine Major
- Bictegravir + Oxcarbazepine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine with Oxcarbazepine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine and Oxcarbazepine 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. Oxcarbazepine is a weak to moderate CYP3A4 inducer and may reduce buprenorphine exposure, potentially causing reduced analgesic or maintenance effect or withdrawal symptoms. Oxcarbazepine also adds to sedation.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Oxcarbazepine?
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 or inadequate pain control and increase the buprenorphine dose if needed. Reassess the dose if oxcarbazepine is stopped.
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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