Buprenorphine-Naloxone/Select Benzodiazepines
This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.
Medical warning:
Moderate. These medicines may cause some risk when taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.
How the interaction occurs:
Both medicines can cause sedation or suppress your natural urge to breathe.
What might happen:
Taking higher doses or taking more doses than prescribed, could cause you to stop breathing.
What you should do about this interaction:
Let your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) know that you are taking these medicines together.Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
References:
1.Suboxone sublingual tablet (buprenorphine and naloxone) prescribing information. Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc. December, 2011.
2.Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Clinical Guidelines for the Use of Buprenorphine in the Treatment of Opioid Addiction. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series 40. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US) 2004.
3.Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction in Opioid Treatment Programs (TIP 43). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US) 2005.
4.McCance-Katz EF, Sullivan LE, Nallani S. Drug interactions of clinical importance among the opioids, methadone and buprenorphine, and other frequently prescribed medications: a review. Am J Addict 2010 Jan-Feb; 19(1):4-16.
5.Lintzeris N, Nielsen S. Benzodiazepines, methadone and buprenorphine: interactions and clinical management. Am J Addict 2010 Jan-Feb; 19(1):59-72.





