Drug interactions
Buprenorphine + Pentazocine
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine and Pentazocine: 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
Pentazocine is a mixed agonist-antagonist that may displace or oppose buprenorphine at opioid receptors, reducing analgesia and potentially precipitating withdrawal in opioid-dependent patients. Additive sedation and respiratory depression may also occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine and Pentazocine 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; Pentazocine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Competing activity at opioid receptors between a partial agonist and a mixed agonist-antagonist.
What to do
Avoid combining them and use a single opioid strategy. Monitor for withdrawal and respiratory depression if both are given.
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 Pentazocine
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Pentazocine Contraindicated
- Olanzapine / samidorphan + Pentazocine Contraindicated
- Pentazocine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Pentazocine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Pentazocine Major
- Alprazolam + Pentazocine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine with Pentazocine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine and Pentazocine 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. Pentazocine is a mixed agonist-antagonist that may displace or oppose buprenorphine at opioid receptors, reducing analgesia and potentially precipitating withdrawal in opioid-dependent patients. Additive sedation and respiratory depression may also occur.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Pentazocine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid combining them and use a single opioid strategy. Monitor for withdrawal and respiratory depression if both are given.
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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