Skip to content

Drug interactions

Buprenorphine buccal + Primaquine

Severity: Moderate

Buprenorphine buccal and Primaquine: 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

Buprenorphine can prolong the QT interval, particularly at higher doses, and primaquine may add to this effect. Arrhythmia risk is increased in susceptible patients.

What this interaction means in plain words

Buprenorphine buccal and Primaquine 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: Low

Why it happens

Additive effects on cardiac repolarization.

What to do

Consider baseline ECG and monitor QTc in patients with risk factors. Correct electrolyte abnormalities.

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.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Buprenorphine buccal and Primaquine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.

  • Full clinical management advice
  • Additional notes
  • Evidence detail
  • Interaction checker for a whole prescription

Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Buprenorphine buccal with Primaquine?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine buccal and Primaquine 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 can prolong the QT interval, particularly at higher doses, and primaquine may add to this effect. Arrhythmia risk is increased in susceptible patients.

How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine buccal and Primaquine?

MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Consider baseline ECG and monitor QTc in patients with risk factors. Correct electrolyte abnormalities.

What other medicines interact with Primaquine?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Primaquine with, for example, Pimozide, Amiodarone, Amisulpride. The full list is on the Primaquine 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.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in