What should I avoid while taking buprenorphine and naloxone?
In an emergency, have family members tell emergency room staff that you are taking
buprenorphine and naloxone and that you are dependent on opioids.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities.
Buprenorphine and naloxone may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or impaired thinking. If you experience
drowsiness, dizziness, or impaired thinking, avoid these activities.
Dizziness may be more likely to occur when rising from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to
minimize dizziness and prevent a fall.
Avoid alcohol while taking buprenorphine and naloxone. Alcohol may dangerously increase
drowsiness and dizziness caused by the medication.
Buprenorphine and naloxone may dangerously increase the effects of other drugs that cause
drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), other
pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you
are taking, and do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicine, including herbal
products, without first talking to your doctor.
What other drugs will affect buprenorphine and naloxone?
Buprenorphine and naloxone can cause death from overdose, especially if it is injected with a
tranquilizer. Use buprenorphine and naloxone exactly as directed by your doctor.
Do not take buprenorphine and naloxone without first talking to your doctor if you are
taking:
-
a benzodiazepine such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium),
clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), lorazepam (Ativan), chlordiazepoxide
(Librium), oxazepam (Serax), triazolam (Halcion), temazepam (Restoril), estazolam (Prosom),
quazepam (Doral), or flurazepam (Dalmane);
-
erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E.E.S., E-Mycin, others) or
clarithromycin (Biaxin);
-
itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
-
an HIV protease inhibitor such as indinavir (Crixivan),
ritonavir (Norvir) or saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase);
-
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), rifapentine (Priftin), or
rifabutin (Mycobutin);
-
phenytoin (Dilantin);
-
carbamazepine (Tegretol);
-
a barbiturate such as phenobarbital, mephobarbital
(Mebaral), and others.
You may not be able to take buprenorphine and naloxone, or you may
require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the
medications listed above.
Buprenorphine and naloxone may dangerously increase the effects of other drugs that cause
drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), other
pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you
are taking, and do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicine, including herbal
products, without first talking to your doctor.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with buprenorphine and naloxone. Talk to
your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including
herbal products.