Drug interactions
Buprenorphine transdermal + Fluvoxamine
Severity: Moderate
Buprenorphine transdermal and Fluvoxamine: 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
Transdermal buprenorphine has dose-related QT prolongation, and fluvoxamine may add a small effect. CYP3A4 inhibition may raise buprenorphine levels and serotonergic effects are possible.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buprenorphine transdermal and Fluvoxamine 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 QT prolongation, CYP3A4 inhibition and serotonergic effects.
What to do
Monitor for sedation, respiratory depression and serotonin syndrome, and obtain an ECG in patients with QT risk factors. Reduce the buprenorphine dose if needed.
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 transdermal and Fluvoxamine, 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 Fluvoxamine
- Agomelatine + Fluvoxamine Contraindicated
- Alosetron + Fluvoxamine Contraindicated
- Fezolinetant + Fluvoxamine Contraindicated
- Fluvoxamine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Fluvoxamine + Mavacamten Contraindicated
- Fluvoxamine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buprenorphine transdermal with Fluvoxamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buprenorphine transdermal and Fluvoxamine 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. Transdermal buprenorphine has dose-related QT prolongation, and fluvoxamine may add a small effect. CYP3A4 inhibition may raise buprenorphine levels and serotonergic effects are possible.
How serious is the interaction between Buprenorphine transdermal and Fluvoxamine?
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 sedation, respiratory depression and serotonin syndrome, and obtain an ECG in patients with QT risk factors. Reduce the buprenorphine dose if needed.
What other medicines interact with Fluvoxamine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Fluvoxamine with, for example, Agomelatine, Alosetron, Fezolinetant. The full list is on the Fluvoxamine 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.
