Drug interactions
Buspirone + Lopinavir
Severity: Major
Buspirone and Lopinavir: major interaction.
Last updated Sources: UK SmPC
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
Ritonavir-boosted lopinavir inhibits CYP3A4 and can markedly raise buspirone levels. This may cause excess sedation, dizziness and other adverse effects.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buspirone and Lopinavir 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.
Buspirone belongs to Central Nervous System; Lopinavir belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Lopinavir/ritonavir inhibits CYP3A4, decreasing the first-pass and systemic metabolism of buspirone.
What to do
Start buspirone at a very low dose and titrate slowly, or use an alternative anxiolytic. Monitor for sedation and dizziness.
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 Buspirone and Lopinavir, 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.
References
Other interactions of Buspirone
- Buspirone + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Selegiline transdermal Contraindicated
Other interactions of Lopinavir
- Alfuzosin + Lopinavir Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Lopinavir Contraindicated
- Cisapride + Lopinavir Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Lopinavir Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Lopinavir Contraindicated
- Eplerenone + Lopinavir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buspirone with Lopinavir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Buspirone and Lopinavir 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. Ritonavir-boosted lopinavir inhibits CYP3A4 and can markedly raise buspirone levels. This may cause excess sedation, dizziness and other adverse effects.
How serious is the interaction between Buspirone and Lopinavir?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Start buspirone at a very low dose and titrate slowly, or use an alternative anxiolytic. Monitor for sedation and dizziness.
What other medicines interact with Buspirone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Buspirone with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Linezolid, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Buspirone 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.
