Drug interactions
Buprenorphine subdermal implant + Chlorzoxazone
Severity: Major
Buprenorphine subdermal implant and Chlorzoxazone: 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
Buprenorphine with a sedating muscle relaxant may cause additive sedation and respiratory depression. The implant gives steady low exposure, so the risk is smaller than with higher-dose opioids but still relevant.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine subdermal implant and Chlorzoxazone 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 through pharmacodynamic synergism.
What to do
Use only if no alternatives exist, with the lowest chlorzoxazone dose, and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression.
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?
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Other interactions of Chlorzoxazone
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine subdermal implant with Chlorzoxazone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Buprenorphine subdermal implant and Chlorzoxazone 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. Buprenorphine with a sedating muscle relaxant may cause additive sedation and respiratory depression. The implant gives steady low exposure, so the risk is smaller than with higher-dose opioids but still relevant.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine subdermal implant and Chlorzoxazone?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use only if no alternatives exist, with the lowest chlorzoxazone dose, and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression.
What other medicines interact with Chlorzoxazone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Chlorzoxazone with, for example, Alfentanil, Alprazolam, Amobarbital. The full list is on the Chlorzoxazone page.
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