Buprenorphine is a medication for opioid withdrawal and opioid use disorder that can interact with many different types of medications.
Common medications that can react with buprenorphine include:
- pain medications
- antidepressant medications
- central nervous system depressants
- HIV/AIDs medications
The clinical impact, or severity, of drug interactions can vary depending on the type of drug, the dose taken, and other personal factors related to substance use and overall health.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration lists the following types of medications as being capable of having clinically significant drug interactions with buprenorphine.
Learn more about using buprenorphine to overcome opioid addiction
Central Nervous System Depressants
Buprenorphine is classified as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. Although it is sometimes prescribed alongside other depressants, the use of both is often closely monitored.
Taking buprenorphine with other CNS depressants can enhance their depressant effects, increasing the risk of experiencing sedation, slow or difficult breathing, or drug overdose.
Depressants that can interact with buprenorphine include:
- benzodiazepines: Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium
- sleep medications: Ambien, Lunesta, diphenhydramine
- barbiturates: Luminal, Seconal, butabarbital
- general anesthetics: propofol, ketamine, etomidate
- muscle relaxants: Soma, baclofen, dantrolene
- antipsychotics: Haldol, Seroquel, Risperdal
- other opioid drugs: heroin, OxyContin (oxycodone), morphine, codeine, Vicodin (hydrocodone)
This is not an exhaustive list. Any drug that depresses central nervous system activity has the potential to interact with buprenorphine.
Alcohol
Although not a medication, alcohol can interact with buprenorphine. Like prescription depressants, alcohol also depresses the central nervous system.
Drinking alcohol while taking buprenorphine can increase the risk of intoxication, sedation, effects on breathing, and life-threatening overdose.
Inhibitors Of CYP3A4
Drugs classified as CYP3A4 can interact with buprenorphine by increasing the peak plasma concentration of buprenorphine in a person’s system, causing its effects to last longer.
If someone stops taking a CYP3A4 while continuing to take buprenorphine, this could affect the efficacy of buprenorphine, thereby requiring an adjustment to a person’s stable dosage.
Common CYP3A4 inhibitors include:
- macrolide antibiotics (e.g. clarithromycin, erythromycin)
- protease inhibitors (e.g. ritonavir)
- azole-antifungal agents (e.g. ketoconazole)
- grapefruit juice (not a medication)
Several of these drugs are used as antiviral medications to treat diseases such as hepatitis and HIV, or skin infections.
CYP34A Inducers
Drugs that are known to induce CYP34A can interact with buprenorphine. The simultaneous use of CYP34A inducers with buprenorphine can decrease the efficacy of buprenorphine.
Stopping a CYP34A inducer while taking buprenorphine can lead to increased effects of buprenorphine, which may lead to an adverse reaction without a dosage adjustment.
Common CYP34A inducers include:
- carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- phenytoin (Phenytek)
- Rifampin
- phenobarbital
Carbamazepine and phenytoin are prescribed to treat seizures and convulsions. Phenobarbital is a prescription tranquilizer. Rifampin is an antibiotic that can treat tuberculosis.
Antiretrovirals
Antiretroviral drugs used to treat or manage HIV/AIDs can interact with buprenorphine, although the effects of this interaction are not reported as clinically significant.
Antiretroviral drugs include:
- efavirenz
- nevirapine
- etravirine
- delavirdine
- atazanavir
Antiretroviral protease inhibitors such as atazanavir may enhance the sedative effects of buprenorphine when taken together. Monitoring patients taking both drugs is recommended.
Anticholinergic Drugs
Anticholinergic drugs block the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in the brain. Taking buprenorphine with an anticholinergic drug may cause severe constipation or difficulty urinating.
Common types of anticholinergic drugs include:
- atropine
- benztropine
- oxybutynin
- tolterodine
- belladonna alkaloids
- antihistamines
Anticholinergic drugs are often used to treat certain bladder conditions, gastrointestinal disorders, COPD, and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Antidepressant Medications
Some antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) can interact with buprenorphine.
Antidepressant drugs that can interact with buprenorphine:
- phenelzine (Nardil)
- tranylcypromine (Parnate)
- mirtazapine (Remeron)
- trazodone
- sertraline (Zoloft)
- citalopram (Celexa)
- paroxetine (Paxil)
- fluoxetine (Prozac)
- doxepin
- escitalopram (Lexapro)
- amitriptyline (Elavil)
- nortriptyline (Pamelor)
Buprenorphine can interact with drugs that affect the serotonin neurotransmitter system.
Without close monitoring, this could lead to the development of serotonin syndrome, a rare but serious condition.
Diuretics
Buprenorphine can decrease the efficacy of diuretics, which are commonly used to treat high blood pressure. Taking both together may affect urine production and blood pressure.
Common diuretic medications include:
- furosemide
- chlorthalidone
- chlorothiazide
- metolazone
- bumetanide
- indapamide
- hydrochlorothiazide
Buprenorphine Drug Interactions FAQs
It’s common to have questions about buprenorphine drug interactions. Find answers to frequently asked questions about drugs that interact with buprenorphine.
Can You Take Methadone And Buprenorphine Together?
Combining methadone with buprenorphine is generally not recommended.
This may affect heart rhythm, reduce the efficacy of these drugs for pain relief, and cause opioid withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, runny nose, sweating, or body aches.
Can You Take Antidepressants With Buprenorphine?
Antidepressant medications, such as SSRIs, may be taken with buprenorphine.
However, your doctor may monitor you for symptoms of serotonin syndrome while taking both types of drugs.
Is It Okay To Take Suboxone With Tylenol?
Tylenol, a common pain medication, can interact with Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone). If you’re taking Suboxone, talk to a doctor before using Tylenol or other pain medications.
Call Today For More Information About Buprenorphine And Addiction Treatment
Buprenorphine is a safe and effective medication when it is taken as prescribed by a doctor for opioid addiction or chronic pain.
If you’re looking for opioid addiction treatment, call our helpline today to find treatment for opioid addiction at a drug rehab center near you.
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- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns about several safety issues with opioid pain medicines; requires label changes
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-drug-safety-communication-fda-warns-about-several-safety-issues-opioid-pain-medicines-requires - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—Subutex Drug Label
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/020732s018lbl.pdf - U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)—Anticholinergic Medications StatPearls
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555893/ - U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)—Drug interactions involving methadone and buprenorphine - Guidelines for the Psychosocially Assisted Pharmacological Treatment of Opioid Dependence
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK143177/ - U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)—Drug Interactions of Clinical Importance among the Opioids, Methadone and Buprenorphine, and other Frequently Prescribed Medications: A Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20132117/