Drug interactions
Buprenorphine + Tetrabenazine
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine and Tetrabenazine: 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
Both agents can prolong the QT interval, and tetrabenazine also causes sedation. The combination may increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmia and CNS depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine and Tetrabenazine 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; Tetrabenazine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation and additive CNS depression.
What to do
Check a baseline ECG and electrolytes, and monitor the QTc in patients with other risk factors. Watch for excess sedation and adjust doses if it occurs.
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 Tetrabenazine
- Dronedarone + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Linezolid + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Procarbazine + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine with Tetrabenazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine and Tetrabenazine 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. Both agents can prolong the QT interval, and tetrabenazine also causes sedation. The combination may increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmia and CNS depression.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Tetrabenazine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check a baseline ECG and electrolytes, and monitor the QTc in patients with other risk factors. Watch for excess sedation and adjust doses if it occurs.
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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