Drug interactions
Buprenorphine subdermal implant + Nalbuphine
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine subdermal implant and Nalbuphine: 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
Nalbuphine added to continuous buprenorphine may cause additive sedation and respiratory depression. Receptor competition may also reduce analgesia or provoke withdrawal.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine subdermal implant and Nalbuphine 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
Additive opioid CNS depression with competition between partial agonist and agonist-antagonist at mu receptors.
What to do
Use only when alternatives are inadequate, at the lowest effective dose, and monitor for sedation, respiratory depression and withdrawal.
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?
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Other interactions of Nalbuphine
- Alvimopan + Nalbuphine Contraindicated
- Nalbuphine + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Alprazolam + Nalbuphine Major
- Amobarbital + Nalbuphine Major
- Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen + Nalbuphine Major
- Brexanolone + Nalbuphine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine subdermal implant with Nalbuphine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine subdermal implant and Nalbuphine 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. Nalbuphine added to continuous buprenorphine may cause additive sedation and respiratory depression. Receptor competition may also reduce analgesia or provoke withdrawal.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine subdermal implant and Nalbuphine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use only when alternatives are inadequate, at the lowest effective dose, and monitor for sedation, respiratory depression and withdrawal.
What other medicines interact with Nalbuphine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nalbuphine with, for example, Alvimopan, Olanzapine / samidorphan, Alprazolam. The full list is on the Nalbuphine page.
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