Drug interactions
Buprenorphine long-acting + Verapamil
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine long-acting and Verapamil: 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
Verapamil may increase buprenorphine exposure from the long-acting injection by inhibiting CYP3A4. Excess exposure could cause sedation or respiratory depression and cannot be quickly reversed given the depot formulation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine long-acting and Verapamil 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
CYP3A4 inhibition decreases buprenorphine clearance.
What to do
Monitor for opioid toxicity, especially in the first weeks. If toxicity appears and verapamil cannot be reduced or stopped, switch to a buprenorphine form 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 Verapamil, 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 Verapamil
- Dofetilide + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Flibanserin + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Lomitapide + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Lonafarnib + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Acebutolol + Verapamil Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine long-acting with Verapamil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine long-acting and Verapamil 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. Verapamil may increase buprenorphine exposure from the long-acting injection by inhibiting CYP3A4. Excess exposure could cause sedation or respiratory depression and cannot be quickly reversed given the depot formulation.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine long-acting and Verapamil?
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 opioid toxicity, especially in the first weeks. If toxicity appears and verapamil cannot be reduced or stopped, switch to a buprenorphine form that allows dose adjustment.
What other medicines interact with Verapamil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Verapamil with, for example, Dofetilide, Flibanserin, Lomitapide. The full list is on the Verapamil 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.
