Drug interactions
Buprenorphine long-acting + Desvenlafaxine
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine long-acting and Desvenlafaxine: 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
Concurrent use of buprenorphine with a serotonergic antidepressant may precipitate serotonin syndrome, which can be life-threatening. Long-acting injection cannot be quickly withdrawn if toxicity occurs.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine long-acting and Desvenlafaxine 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.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic neurotransmission from SNRI reuptake inhibition and opioid-related serotonergic effects.
What to do
Monitor for serotonin syndrome during initiation and dose changes of either drug. Treat symptomatically and stop desvenlafaxine if toxicity appears.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Buprenorphine long-acting and Desvenlafaxine, 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.
Other interactions of Desvenlafaxine
- Desvenlafaxine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Selegiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine long-acting with Desvenlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine long-acting and Desvenlafaxine 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. Concurrent use of buprenorphine with a serotonergic antidepressant may precipitate serotonin syndrome, which can be life-threatening. Long-acting injection cannot be quickly withdrawn if toxicity occurs.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine long-acting and Desvenlafaxine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for serotonin syndrome during initiation and dose changes of either drug. Treat symptomatically and stop desvenlafaxine if toxicity appears.
What other medicines interact with Desvenlafaxine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Desvenlafaxine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Desvenlafaxine 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.
