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Drug interactions

Buprenorphine + Zotepine

Severity: Moderate

Buprenorphine and Zotepine: 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

Zotepine is a sedating antipsychotic that can add to opioid-induced CNS depression and hypotension. It can also lower the seizure threshold and prolong the QT interval.

What this interaction means in plain words

Buprenorphine and Zotepine 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.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive CNS depression from opioid and antipsychotic receptor effects.

What to do

Use lower starting doses and monitor for sedation, hypotension and respiratory depression.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Buprenorphine with Zotepine?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine and Zotepine 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. Zotepine is a sedating antipsychotic that can add to opioid-induced CNS depression and hypotension. It can also lower the seizure threshold and prolong the QT interval.

How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine and Zotepine?

MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use lower starting doses and monitor for sedation, hypotension and respiratory depression.

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.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

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