Buprenorphineinteractions

Table 5 Includes clinically significant drug interactions with buprenorphine transdermal system.

Table 5: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with Buprenorphine Transdermal System Benzodiazepines Clinical Impact: There have been a number of reports regarding coma and death associated with the misuse and abuse of the combination of buprenorphine and benzodiazepines. In many, but not all of these cases, buprenorphine was misused by self-injection of crushed buprenorphine tablets. Preclinical studies have shown that the combination of benzodiazepines and buprenorphine altered the usual ceiling effect on buprenorphine-induced respiratory depression, making the respiratory effects of buprenorphine appear similar to those of full opioid agonists.

Intervention: Regularly evaluate patients with concurrent use of buprenorphine transdermal system and benzodiazepines. Warn patients that it is extremely dangerous to self-administer benzodiazepines while taking buprenorphine transdermal system and warn patients to use benzodiazepines concurrently with buprenorphine transdermal system only as directed by their physician. Benzodiazepines and Other Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants Clinical Impact: Due to additive pharmacologic effects, the concomitant use of benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, can increase the risk of hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, and death.

Intervention: Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required. Inform patients and caregivers of this potential interaction and educate them on the signs and symptoms of respiratory depression (including sedation). If concomitant use is warranted, consider recommending or prescribing an opioid overdose reversal agent.

Examples: Benzodiazepines and other sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics,gabapentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin), other opioids, alcohol. Inhibitors of CYP3A4 Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of buprenorphine and CYP3A4 inhibitors can increase the plasma concentration of buprenorphine, resulting in increased or prolonged opioid effects, particularly when an inhibitor is added after a stable dose of buprenorphine transdermal system is achieved. After stopping a CYP3A4 inhibitor, as the effects of the inhibitor decline, the buprenorphine plasma concentration will decrease, potentially resulting in decreased opioid efficacy or a withdrawal syndrome in patients who had developed physical dependence to buprenorphine.

Intervention: If concomitant use is necessary, consider dosage reduction of buprenorphine transdermal system until stable drug effects are achieved. Evaluate patients at frequent intervals for respiratory depression and sedation. If a CYP3A4 inhibitor is discontinued, consider increasing the buprenorphine transdermal system dosage until stable drug effects are achieved. Assess for signs of opioid withdrawal.

Examples: Macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin), azole-antifungal agents (e.g., ketoconazole), protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir) CYP3A4 Inducers Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of buprenorphine and CYP3A4 inducers can decrease the plasma concentration of buprenorphine, potentially resulting in decreased efficacy or onset of a withdrawal syndrome in patients who have developed physical dependence to buprenorphine. After stopping a CYP3A4 inducer, as the effects of the inducer decline, the buprenorphine plasma concentration will increase, which could increase or prolong both therapeutic effects and adverse reactions and may cause serious respiratory depression.

Intervention: If concomitant use is necessary, consider increasing the buprenorphine transdermal system dosage until stable drug effects are achieved. Assess for signs of opioid withdrawal. If a CYP3A4 inducer is discontinued, consider buprenorphine transdermal system dosage reduction and evaluate patients at frequent intervals for signs of respiratory depression and sedation.

Examples: Rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of opioids with other drugs that affect the serotonergic neurotransmitter system has resulted in serotonin syndrome.

Intervention: If concomitant use is warranted, frequently evaluate the patient, particularly during treatment initiation and dose adjustment. Discontinue buprenorphine transdermal system if serotonin syndrome is suspected.

Examples: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), triptans, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, drugs that affect the serotonin neurotransmitter system (e.g., mirtazapine, trazodone, tramadol), certain muscle relaxants (i.e., cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue). Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Clinical Impact: MAOI interactions with opioids may manifest as serotonin syndrome or opioid toxicity (e.g., respiratory depression, coma).

Intervention: The use of buprenorphine transdermal system is not recommended for patients taking MAOIs or within 14 days of stopping such treatment.

Examples: phenelzine, tranylcypromine, linezolid Mixed Agonist/Antagonist Opioid Analgesics Clinical Impact: May reduce the analgesic effect of buprenorphine transdermal system and/or precipitate withdrawal symptoms.

Intervention: Avoid concomitant use.

Examples: butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine Muscle Relaxants Clinical Impact: Buprenorphine may enhance the neuromuscular blocking action of skeletal muscle relaxants and produce an increased degree of respiratory depression.

Intervention: Because respiratory depression may be greater than otherwise expected, decrease the dosage of buprenorphine transdermal system and/or the muscle relaxant as necessary. Due to the risk of respiratory depression with concomitant use of skeletal muscle relaxants and opioids, consider recommending or prescribing an opioid overdose reversal agent.

Examples: Cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone Diuretics Clinical Impact: Opioids can reduce the efficacy of diuretics by inducing the release of antidiuretic hormone.

Intervention: Evaluate patients for signs of diminished diuresis and/or effects on blood pressure and increase the dosage of the diuretic as needed.

Anticholinergic Drugs Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of opioid analgesics, including buprenorphine, and anticholinergic drugs may increase the risk of urinary retention and/or severe constipation, which may lead to paralytic ileus.

Intervention: Evaluate patients for signs of urinary retention or reduced gastric motility when buprenorphine transdermal system is used concomitantly with anticholinergic drugs.

Benzodiazepines: May increase buprenorphine-induced respiratory depression. Frequently evaluate patients on concurrent therapy closely.

CYP3A4 Inhibitors/Inducers: Initiating CYP3A4 inhibitors or discontinuing CYP3A4 inducers may result in an increase in buprenorphine plasma concentrations. Evaluate patients starting CYP3A4 inhibitors or stopping CYP3A4 inducers at frequent intervals for respiratory depression.

Serotonergic Drugs: Concomitant use may result in serotonin syndrome. Discontinue buprenorphine transdermal system if serotonin syndrome is suspected.

Mixed Agonist/Antagonist Analgesics: Avoid use with buprenorphine transdermal system because they may reduce analgesic effect of buprenorphine transdermal system or precipitate withdrawal symptoms.