Drug interactions
Buprenorphine + Papaverine
Severity: Minor
Buprenorphine and Papaverine: minor 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
Papaverine is a smooth muscle relaxant that can cause drowsiness and dizziness in some patients, which could add slightly to opioid sedation. The clinical significance is likely small.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine and Papaverine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Buprenorphine belongs to Musculoskeletal; Papaverine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Possible additive CNS depression; the mechanism is not well established.
What to do
Advise patients to watch for added drowsiness and to avoid driving until they know their response. No routine dose adjustment is required.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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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 Papaverine
- Givinostat + Papaverine Major
- Bretylium + Papaverine Moderate
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Papaverine Moderate
- Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa + Papaverine Moderate
- Carbidopa-levodopa + Papaverine Moderate
- Carbidopa + Papaverine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine with Papaverine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Buprenorphine and Papaverine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Papaverine is a smooth muscle relaxant that can cause drowsiness and dizziness in some patients, which could add slightly to opioid sedation. The clinical significance is likely small.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Papaverine?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise patients to watch for added drowsiness and to avoid driving until they know their response. No routine dose adjustment is required.
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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