Drug interactions
Buprenorphine long-acting + Imatinib
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine long-acting and Imatinib: 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
Imatinib inhibits CYP3A4 and may increase buprenorphine concentrations from the long-acting injection. The depot cannot be adjusted once given, so overdose symptoms such as sedation and respiratory depression could be prolonged.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine long-acting and Imatinib 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
Imatinib inhibits CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of buprenorphine, increasing exposure.
What to do
Monitor for sedation, respiratory depression and other signs of buprenorphine excess, especially in the first weeks. If toxicity occurs and imatinib cannot be stopped, move the patient to a transmucosal buprenorphine product that allows dose adjustment.
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 Imatinib, 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 Imatinib
- Imatinib + Lomitapide Contraindicated
- Imatinib + Lonafarnib Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Imatinib Major
- Apalutamide + Imatinib Major
- Avapritinib + Imatinib Major
- Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen + Imatinib Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine long-acting with Imatinib?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine long-acting and Imatinib 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. Imatinib inhibits CYP3A4 and may increase buprenorphine concentrations from the long-acting injection. The depot cannot be adjusted once given, so overdose symptoms such as sedation and respiratory depression could be prolonged.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine long-acting and Imatinib?
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 sedation, respiratory depression and other signs of buprenorphine excess, especially in the first weeks. If toxicity occurs and imatinib cannot be stopped, move the patient to a transmucosal buprenorphine product that allows dose adjustment.
What other medicines interact with Imatinib?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Imatinib with, for example, Lomitapide, Lonafarnib, Amobarbital. The full list is on the Imatinib 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.
