Drug interactions
Buprenorphine long-acting + Zaleplon
Severity: Major
Buprenorphine long-acting and Zaleplon: major 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 an opioid and a sedative-hypnotic increases the risk of profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death. The long-acting injection provides prolonged exposure, so the risk persists for weeks.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine long-acting and Zaleplon can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression via opioid and GABA-A pathways.
What to do
Avoid the combination where possible, or limit zaleplon dose and duration. Monitor closely for sedation and respiratory depression and educate patients and caregivers.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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 Zaleplon, 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 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Zaleplon
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Zaleplon Contraindicated
- Sodium oxybate + Zaleplon Contraindicated
- Brexanolone + Zaleplon Major
- Buprenorphine subdermal implant + Zaleplon Major
- Buprenorphine transdermal + Zaleplon Major
- Fentanyl intranasal + Zaleplon Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine long-acting with Zaleplon?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Buprenorphine long-acting and Zaleplon can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Concurrent use of an opioid and a sedative-hypnotic increases the risk of profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death. The long-acting injection provides prolonged exposure, so the risk persists for weeks.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine long-acting and Zaleplon?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination where possible, or limit zaleplon dose and duration. Monitor closely for sedation and respiratory depression and educate patients and caregivers.
What other medicines interact with Zaleplon?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Zaleplon with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Sodium oxybate, Brexanolone. The full list is on the Zaleplon 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.
