Skip to main content

Drug Interactions between brimonidine / timolol ophthalmic and Buprenex

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

Edit list (add/remove drugs)

Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

buprenorphine brimonidine ophthalmic

Applies to: Buprenex (buprenorphine) and brimonidine / timolol ophthalmic

MONITOR: Topically administered alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists such as apraclonidine and brimonidine are systemically absorbed, with the potential for producing rare but clinically significant systemic effects. Although the interaction has not been specifically studied, the possibility of an additive or potentiating effect with central nervous system (CNS) depressants such as alcohol, barbiturates, opiates, anxiolytics, sedatives, and anesthetics should be considered. Additive hypotensive effects and orthostasis may also occur with some CNS depressants and other agents that have these effects, particularly during initial dosing and/or parenteral administration.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving topical alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists in combination with agents that can cause CNS depression should be made aware of the potential for increased adverse effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness and confusion, and counseled to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until they know how these agents affect them. Patients should also avoid rising abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position and notify their physician if they experience orthostasis or tachycardia.

References

  1. "Product Information. Iopidine (apraclonidine ophthalmic)." Alcon Laboratories Inc PROD
  2. "Product Information. Alphagan (brimonidine ophthalmic)." Allergan Inc PROD (2001):
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  4. Pekdemir M, Yanturali S, Karakus G "More than just an ocular solution." Emerg Med J 22 (2005): 753-4
  5. "Product Information. Mirvaso (brimonidine topical)." Galderma Laboratories Inc (2013):
View all 5 references

Switch to consumer interaction data

Moderate

timolol ophthalmic brimonidine ophthalmic

Applies to: brimonidine / timolol ophthalmic and brimonidine / timolol ophthalmic

MONITOR: Topically administered alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists such as apraclonidine and brimonidine are systemically absorbed, with the potential for producing rare but clinically significant systemic effects such as hypotension and bradycardia. The possibility for an additive or potentiating effect on blood pressure and heart rate should be considered when used with other medications that affect these parameters, such as ophthalmic and systemic beta blockers, vasodilators, cardiac glycosides, and antihypertensive agents.

MANAGEMENT: Blood pressure and pulse rate should be monitored regularly when topical alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists are prescribed in combination with cardiovascular drugs. Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they experience slow pulse, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, lightheadedness, or syncope.

References

  1. King MH, Richards DW "Near syncope and chest tightness after administration of apraclonidine before argon laser iridotomy." Am J Ophthalmol 110 (1990): 308-9
  2. "Product Information. Iopidine (apraclonidine ophthalmic)." Alcon Laboratories Inc PROD
  3. Nordlund JR, Pasquale LR, Robin AL, Rudikoff MT, Ordman J, Chen KS, Walt J "The cardiovascular, pulmonary, and ocular hypotensive effects of 0.2% brimonidine." Arch Ophthalmol 113 (1995): 77-83
  4. "Product Information. Alphagan (brimonidine ophthalmic)." Allergan Inc PROD (2001):
  5. Walters TR "Development and use of brimonidine in treating acute and chronic elevations of intraocular pressure: a review of safety, efficacy, dose response, and dosing studies." Surv Ophthalmol 41 ( Suppl (1996): s19-26
  6. Pekdemir M, Yanturali S, Karakus G "More than just an ocular solution." Emerg Med J 22 (2005): 753-4
  7. "Product Information. Mirvaso (brimonidine topical)." Galderma Laboratories Inc (2013):
View all 7 references

Switch to consumer interaction data

Drug and food interactions

Major

buprenorphine food

Applies to: Buprenex (buprenorphine)

GENERALLY AVOID: Concomitant use of buprenorphine with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants (e.g., nonbenzodiazepine sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, other opioids, alcohol) may increase the risk of buprenorphine overdose, severe respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reported cases have primarily occurred in the setting of buprenorphine maintenance treatment for opiate addiction, and many, but not all, involved abuse or misuse of buprenorphine including intravenous self-injection. The mechanism of interaction probably involves some degree of additive pharmacologic effects. Preclinical studies also suggest that benzodiazepines can alter the usual ceiling effect on buprenorphine-induced respiratory depression and render the respiratory effects of buprenorphine appear similar to those of full opioid agonists. Coadministration of buprenorphine with some CNS depressants such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, and phenothiazines may also increase the risk of hypotension.

MANAGEMENT: The use of opioids in conjunction with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants should generally be avoided unless alternative treatment options are inadequate. If coadministration is necessary, the dosage and duration of each drug should be limited to the minimum required to achieve desired clinical effect. Patients should be monitored closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation, and advised to avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until they know how these medications affect them. Extreme caution is advised when prescribing buprenorphine to patients who are addicted to opioids and also abusing benzodiazepines or alcohol. Due to potential risk of overdose and death, dependence on sedative-hypnotics such as benzodiazepines or alcohol is considered a relative contraindication for office-based buprenorphine treatment of opioid addiction. For patients who have been receiving extended therapy with both an opioid and a benzodiazepine and require discontinuation of either medication, a gradual tapering of dose is advised, since abrupt withdrawal may lead to withdrawal symptoms. Severe cases of benzodiazepine withdrawal, primarily in patients who have received excessive doses over a prolonged period, may result in numbness and tingling of extremities, hypersensitivity to light and noise, hallucinations, and epileptic seizures.

References

  1. "Product Information. Suboxone (buprenorphine-naloxone)." Reckitt and Colman Pharmaceuticals Inc (2002):
  2. Kilicarslan T, Sellers EM "Lack of interaction of buprenorphine with flunitrazepam metabolism." Am J Psychiatry 157 (2000): 1164-6
  3. Reynaud M, Petit G, Potard D, Courty P "Six deaths linked to concomitant use of buprenorphine and benzodiazepines." Addiction 93 (1998): 1385-92
  4. Tracqui A, Kintz P, Ludes B "Buprenorphine-related deaths among drug addicts in France: a report on 20 fatalities." J Anal Toxicol 22 (1998): 430-4
  5. Reynaud M, Tracqui A, Petit G, Potard D, Courty P "Six deaths linked to misuse of buprenorphine-benzodiazepine combinations." Am J Psychiatry 155 (1998): 448-9
  6. Kintz P "A new series of 13 buprenorphine-related deaths." Clin Biochem 35 (2002): 513-6
  7. Martin HA "The possible consequences of combining lorazepam and buprenorphine/naloxone: a case review." J Emerg Nurs 37 (2011): 200-2
  8. Hakkinen M, Launiainen T, Vuori E, Ojanpera I "Benzodiazepines and alcohol are associated with cases of fatal buprenorphine poisoning." Eur J Clin Pharmacol 68 (2012): 301-9
  9. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US) "Clinical Guidelines for the Use of Buprenorphine in the Treatment of Opioid Addiction. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 40 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64245/" (2013):
  10. Schuman-Olivier Z, Hoeppner BB, Weiss RD, Borodovsky J, Shaffer HJ, Albanese MJ "Benzodiazepine use during buprenorphine treatment for opioid dependence: clinical and safety outcomes." Drug Alcohol Depend 132 (2013): 580-6
  11. Ferrant O, Papin F, Clin B, et al. "Fatal poisoning due to snorting buprenorphine and alcohol consumption." Forensic Sci Int 204 (2011): e8-11
  12. Pirnay S, Borron SW, Giudicelli CP, Tourneau J, Baud FJ, Ricordel I "A critical review of the causes of death among post-morten toxicological investigations: analysis of 34 buprenorphine-associated and 35 methadone-associated deaths." Addiction 99 (2004): 978-88
  13. Kintz P "Deaths involving buprenorphine: a compendium of French cases." Forensic Sci Int 121 (2001): 65-9
  14. Sekar M, Mimpriss TJ "Buprenorphine, benzodiazepines and prolonged respiratory depression." Anaesthesia 42 (1987): 567-8
  15. Gueye PN, Borron SW, Risede P, et al. "Buprenorphine and midazolalm act in combination to depress respiration in rats." Toxicol Sci 65 (2002): 107-14
  16. US Food and Drug Administration "FDA warns about serious risks and death when combining opioid pain or cough medicines with benzodiazepines; requires its strongest warning. http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/UCM518672.pdf" (2016):
View all 16 references

Switch to consumer interaction data

Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

See also

Report options

Loading...
QR code containing a link to this page

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer