Skip to content

Drug interactions

Buprenorphine long-acting + Sertraline

Severity: Moderate

Buprenorphine long-acting and Sertraline: 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

Long-acting injectable buprenorphine can prolong the QT interval, and sertraline may add a small effect. Serotonin syndrome has also been reported when opioids are combined with serotonergic antidepressants.

What this interaction means in plain words

Buprenorphine long-acting and Sertraline 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 QT prolongation and additive serotonergic activity.

What to do

Monitor for serotonin toxicity and sedation, and obtain an ECG in patients with other QT risk factors. Because the injection cannot be quickly withdrawn, review the combination before each dose.

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 long-acting and Sertraline, 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 long-acting with Sertraline?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine long-acting and Sertraline 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. Long-acting injectable buprenorphine can prolong the QT interval, and sertraline may add a small effect. Serotonin syndrome has also been reported when opioids are combined with serotonergic antidepressants.

How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine long-acting and Sertraline?

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 toxicity and sedation, and obtain an ECG in patients with other QT risk factors. Because the injection cannot be quickly withdrawn, review the combination before each dose.

What other medicines interact with Sertraline?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Sertraline with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Sertraline 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