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Can you take Duloxetine with Sublocade?

1 drug interaction and 51 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

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Drug interactions

Moderate drug interactions

Moderate:

buprenorphine DULoxetine

Applies to: Sublocade (buprenorphine) and duloxetine

Using buprenorphine together with DULoxetine can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucinations, seizures, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases may result in coma and even death. You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms during treatment. In addition, combining these medications may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience some impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Food/lifestyle interactions

Major food/lifestyle interactions

Major:

buprenorphine Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: Sublocade (buprenorphine)

Do not use alcohol or medications that contain alcohol while you are receiving treatment with buprenorphine. This may increase nervous system side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, difficulty concentrating, and impairment in thinking and judgment. In severe cases, low blood pressure, respiratory distress, fainting, coma, or even death may occur. You should also avoid consuming grapefruit and grapefruit juice, as this may increase the blood levels and effects of buprenorphine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions on how to take this or other medications you are prescribed. Do not exceed the dose of buprenorphine prescribed for you or use the medication more frequently or for a longer duration than prescribed by your doctor. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medication without first talking to your doctor.

Moderate food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate:

DULoxetine Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: duloxetine

DULoxetine may cause liver damage, and taking it with alcohol may increase that risk. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with DULoxetine. Call your doctor immediately if you have fever, chills, joint pain or swelling, excessive tiredness or weakness, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash or itching, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dark colored urine, or yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes, as these may be symptoms of liver damage. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Disease interactions

49 potential interactions Applies to: 40 conditions, including High Blood Pressure, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Heart Failure, and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Adrenal Insufficiency

Moderate:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a moderate potential interaction with Adrenal Insufficiency.

Buprenorphine should be used with caution in patients with adrenal insufficiency (e.g., Addison's disease). Cases of adrenal insufficiency have been reported with opioid use, more often with use beyond 1 month. If adrenal insufficiency has occurred with a particular opioid, other opioids may be tried as some cases reported use of a different opioid without recurrence of adrenal insufficiency. Available information does not identify which opioids are more likely to be associated with adrenal insufficiency.

Alcoholism

Major:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a major potential interaction with Alcoholism.

Buprenorphine exposes users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse. Each patient's risk should be assessed before prescribing buprenorphine analgesics, and all patients should be monitored regularly for development of such behaviors and conditions. Risks are increased in patients with personal or family history of substance abuse (including drug or alcohol abuse or addiction) or mental illness (e.g., major depression); the potential for such risks should not prevent proper pain management in any given patient. Patients at increased risk may be prescribed buprenorphine analgesics but use in such patients requires intensive counseling about the risks and proper use of buprenorphine, as well as intensive monitoring for signs of addiction, abuse, and misuse; prescribing naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose should be considered. All patients using buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be monitored for progression of opioid use disorder and addictive behaviors.

Buprenorphine is sought for nonmedical use (including by individuals with opioid use disorder) and is subject to criminal diversion. These risks should be considered when prescribing or dispensing buprenorphine. Strategies to reduce such risks should be used (e.g., prescribe smallest appropriate quantity, careful storage during use, proper disposal of unused drug).

Altered Consciousness

Major:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a major potential interaction with Altered Consciousness.

Buprenorphine analgesics are contraindicated in patients with significant respiratory depression. Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with buprenorphine. Patients should be monitored closely for respiratory depression, especially during initiation of therapy or after a dosage increase. Prescribing naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose should be considered; however, naloxone may not be effective in reversing respiratory depression produced by buprenorphine due to its slow rate of dissociation from mu receptors.

The use of buprenorphine analgesics in patients with acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or without resuscitative equipment is contraindicated. Buprenorphine-treated patients with significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cor pulmonale, and those with substantially decreased respiratory reserve, hypoxia, hypercapnia, or preexisting respiratory depression are at increased risk of decreased respiratory drive (including apnea), even at recommended dosages of buprenorphine analgesics; buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be used with caution in such patients with compromised respiratory function. In patients who may be susceptible to the intracranial effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) retention (e.g., those with evidence of increased intracranial pressure or brain tumors), buprenorphine analgesics may reduce respiratory drive, and the resulting CO2 retention can further increase intracranial pressure; these patients should be monitored for signs of sedation and respiratory depression, especially when starting therapy. Buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be used with caution in patients with head injury, intracranial lesions, and other circumstances where cerebrospinal pressure may be increased. Opioids may obscure the clinical course in a patient with a head injury; use of buprenorphine analgesics should be avoided in patients with impaired consciousness or coma.

Life-threatening respiratory depression is more likely to occur in older adult, cachectic, or debilitated patients as they may have altered pharmacokinetics (or altered clearance) compared to younger, healthier patients. These patients should be monitored closely, especially when starting and titrating buprenorphine analgesics and when coadministering with other drugs that depress respiration; alternatively, the use of nonopioid analgesics should be considered. Buprenorphine should be used with caution in patients with kyphoscoliosis.

Arrhythmia

Moderate:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a moderate potential interaction with Arrhythmia.

Thorough QT studies with buprenorphine have shown QT prolongation 15 msec or less; this QTc prolongation effect does not appear to be mediated by hERG channels. Based on these 2 findings, buprenorphine is unlikely to be proarrhythmic when used alone in patients without risk factors. However, these observations should be considered in clinical decisions when prescribing buprenorphine to patients with risk factors (e.g., hypokalemia, bradycardia, recent conversion from atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, baseline QT prolongation, subclinical long-QT syndrome, severe hypomagnesemia).

Asphyxia

Major:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a major potential interaction with Asphyxia.

Buprenorphine analgesics are contraindicated in patients with significant respiratory depression. Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with buprenorphine. Patients should be monitored closely for respiratory depression, especially during initiation of therapy or after a dosage increase. Prescribing naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose should be considered; however, naloxone may not be effective in reversing respiratory depression produced by buprenorphine due to its slow rate of dissociation from mu receptors.

The use of buprenorphine analgesics in patients with acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or without resuscitative equipment is contraindicated. Buprenorphine-treated patients with significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cor pulmonale, and those with substantially decreased respiratory reserve, hypoxia, hypercapnia, or preexisting respiratory depression are at increased risk of decreased respiratory drive (including apnea), even at recommended dosages of buprenorphine analgesics; buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be used with caution in such patients with compromised respiratory function. In patients who may be susceptible to the intracranial effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) retention (e.g., those with evidence of increased intracranial pressure or brain tumors), buprenorphine analgesics may reduce respiratory drive, and the resulting CO2 retention can further increase intracranial pressure; these patients should be monitored for signs of sedation and respiratory depression, especially when starting therapy. Buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be used with caution in patients with head injury, intracranial lesions, and other circumstances where cerebrospinal pressure may be increased. Opioids may obscure the clinical course in a patient with a head injury; use of buprenorphine analgesics should be avoided in patients with impaired consciousness or coma.

Life-threatening respiratory depression is more likely to occur in older adult, cachectic, or debilitated patients as they may have altered pharmacokinetics (or altered clearance) compared to younger, healthier patients. These patients should be monitored closely, especially when starting and titrating buprenorphine analgesics and when coadministering with other drugs that depress respiration; alternatively, the use of nonopioid analgesics should be considered. Buprenorphine should be used with caution in patients with kyphoscoliosis.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Moderate:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a moderate potential interaction with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Buprenorphine should be used with caution in patients with prostatic hypertrophy or urethral stricture. Urinary retention has been reported with buprenorphine.

Biliary Obstruction

Moderate:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a moderate potential interaction with Biliary Obstruction.

Opioid agonists may cause spasm of the sphincter of Oddi, which may increase biliary tract pressure. Other opioid-induced effects may include a reduction in biliary and pancreatic secretions and transient elevations in serum amylase. Patients with biliary tract disease (including acute pancreatitis) should be regularly evaluated for worsening symptoms. Therapy with opioids should be administered cautiously in patients with biliary tract disease, gallbladder disease, or acute pancreatitis.

Bipolar Disorder

Major:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a major potential interaction with Bipolar Disorder.

Adult and pediatric patients with depression and other psychiatric disorders may experience worsening of their symptoms and may have the emergence of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for worsening of their symptoms, suicidality or changes in their behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment, and at times of dose changes. Discontinuing the medication should be considered if symptoms are persistently worse, or abrupt in onset. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients.

Moderate:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a moderate potential interaction with Bipolar Disorder.

Therapy with SNRI antidepressants can cause activation of mania and hypomania and should be used with caution in patients with personal or family history of mania, hypomania, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders.

Brain Tumor

Major:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a major potential interaction with Brain Tumor.

The hypoventilation associated with administration of opioid partial agonists can induce cerebral hypoxia and vasodilatation with resultant increase in intracranial pressure. Unless mechanical ventilation is provided, extreme caution is advised when opioid partial agonists are given to patients with head injury, intracranial lesions, or a preexisting elevated CSF pressure. Also, clinicians treating such patients should be aware that opioid partial agonists may interfere with the evaluation of CNS function, especially with respect to consciousness levels, respiratory status, and pupillary changes.

Major:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a major potential interaction with Brain Tumor.

Buprenorphine analgesics are contraindicated in patients with significant respiratory depression. Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with buprenorphine. Patients should be monitored closely for respiratory depression, especially during initiation of therapy or after a dosage increase. Prescribing naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose should be considered; however, naloxone may not be effective in reversing respiratory depression produced by buprenorphine due to its slow rate of dissociation from mu receptors.

The use of buprenorphine analgesics in patients with acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or without resuscitative equipment is contraindicated. Buprenorphine-treated patients with significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cor pulmonale, and those with substantially decreased respiratory reserve, hypoxia, hypercapnia, or preexisting respiratory depression are at increased risk of decreased respiratory drive (including apnea), even at recommended dosages of buprenorphine analgesics; buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be used with caution in such patients with compromised respiratory function. In patients who may be susceptible to the intracranial effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) retention (e.g., those with evidence of increased intracranial pressure or brain tumors), buprenorphine analgesics may reduce respiratory drive, and the resulting CO2 retention can further increase intracranial pressure; these patients should be monitored for signs of sedation and respiratory depression, especially when starting therapy. Buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be used with caution in patients with head injury, intracranial lesions, and other circumstances where cerebrospinal pressure may be increased. Opioids may obscure the clinical course in a patient with a head injury; use of buprenorphine analgesics should be avoided in patients with impaired consciousness or coma.

Life-threatening respiratory depression is more likely to occur in older adult, cachectic, or debilitated patients as they may have altered pharmacokinetics (or altered clearance) compared to younger, healthier patients. These patients should be monitored closely, especially when starting and titrating buprenorphine analgesics and when coadministering with other drugs that depress respiration; alternatively, the use of nonopioid analgesics should be considered. Buprenorphine should be used with caution in patients with kyphoscoliosis.

Cachexia

Major:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a major potential interaction with Cachexia.

Buprenorphine analgesics are contraindicated in patients with significant respiratory depression. Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with buprenorphine. Patients should be monitored closely for respiratory depression, especially during initiation of therapy or after a dosage increase. Prescribing naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose should be considered; however, naloxone may not be effective in reversing respiratory depression produced by buprenorphine due to its slow rate of dissociation from mu receptors.

The use of buprenorphine analgesics in patients with acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or without resuscitative equipment is contraindicated. Buprenorphine-treated patients with significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cor pulmonale, and those with substantially decreased respiratory reserve, hypoxia, hypercapnia, or preexisting respiratory depression are at increased risk of decreased respiratory drive (including apnea), even at recommended dosages of buprenorphine analgesics; buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be used with caution in such patients with compromised respiratory function. In patients who may be susceptible to the intracranial effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) retention (e.g., those with evidence of increased intracranial pressure or brain tumors), buprenorphine analgesics may reduce respiratory drive, and the resulting CO2 retention can further increase intracranial pressure; these patients should be monitored for signs of sedation and respiratory depression, especially when starting therapy. Buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be used with caution in patients with head injury, intracranial lesions, and other circumstances where cerebrospinal pressure may be increased. Opioids may obscure the clinical course in a patient with a head injury; use of buprenorphine analgesics should be avoided in patients with impaired consciousness or coma.

Life-threatening respiratory depression is more likely to occur in older adult, cachectic, or debilitated patients as they may have altered pharmacokinetics (or altered clearance) compared to younger, healthier patients. These patients should be monitored closely, especially when starting and titrating buprenorphine analgesics and when coadministering with other drugs that depress respiration; alternatively, the use of nonopioid analgesics should be considered. Buprenorphine should be used with caution in patients with kyphoscoliosis.

Cerebral Vascular Disorder

Major:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a major potential interaction with Cerebral Vascular Disorder.

Buprenorphine analgesics are contraindicated in patients with significant respiratory depression. Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with buprenorphine. Patients should be monitored closely for respiratory depression, especially during initiation of therapy or after a dosage increase. Prescribing naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose should be considered; however, naloxone may not be effective in reversing respiratory depression produced by buprenorphine due to its slow rate of dissociation from mu receptors.

The use of buprenorphine analgesics in patients with acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or without resuscitative equipment is contraindicated. Buprenorphine-treated patients with significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cor pulmonale, and those with substantially decreased respiratory reserve, hypoxia, hypercapnia, or preexisting respiratory depression are at increased risk of decreased respiratory drive (including apnea), even at recommended dosages of buprenorphine analgesics; buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be used with caution in such patients with compromised respiratory function. In patients who may be susceptible to the intracranial effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) retention (e.g., those with evidence of increased intracranial pressure or brain tumors), buprenorphine analgesics may reduce respiratory drive, and the resulting CO2 retention can further increase intracranial pressure; these patients should be monitored for signs of sedation and respiratory depression, especially when starting therapy. Buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be used with caution in patients with head injury, intracranial lesions, and other circumstances where cerebrospinal pressure may be increased. Opioids may obscure the clinical course in a patient with a head injury; use of buprenorphine analgesics should be avoided in patients with impaired consciousness or coma.

Life-threatening respiratory depression is more likely to occur in older adult, cachectic, or debilitated patients as they may have altered pharmacokinetics (or altered clearance) compared to younger, healthier patients. These patients should be monitored closely, especially when starting and titrating buprenorphine analgesics and when coadministering with other drugs that depress respiration; alternatively, the use of nonopioid analgesics should be considered. Buprenorphine should be used with caution in patients with kyphoscoliosis.

Major:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a major potential interaction with Cerebral Vascular Disorder.

The hypoventilation associated with administration of opioid partial agonists can induce cerebral hypoxia and vasodilatation with resultant increase in intracranial pressure. Unless mechanical ventilation is provided, extreme caution is advised when opioid partial agonists are given to patients with head injury, intracranial lesions, or a preexisting elevated CSF pressure. Also, clinicians treating such patients should be aware that opioid partial agonists may interfere with the evaluation of CNS function, especially with respect to consciousness levels, respiratory status, and pupillary changes.

Cor Pulmonale

Major:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a major potential interaction with Cor Pulmonale.

Buprenorphine analgesics are contraindicated in patients with significant respiratory depression. Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with buprenorphine. Patients should be monitored closely for respiratory depression, especially during initiation of therapy or after a dosage increase. Prescribing naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose should be considered; however, naloxone may not be effective in reversing respiratory depression produced by buprenorphine due to its slow rate of dissociation from mu receptors.

The use of buprenorphine analgesics in patients with acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or without resuscitative equipment is contraindicated. Buprenorphine-treated patients with significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cor pulmonale, and those with substantially decreased respiratory reserve, hypoxia, hypercapnia, or preexisting respiratory depression are at increased risk of decreased respiratory drive (including apnea), even at recommended dosages of buprenorphine analgesics; buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be used with caution in such patients with compromised respiratory function. In patients who may be susceptible to the intracranial effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) retention (e.g., those with evidence of increased intracranial pressure or brain tumors), buprenorphine analgesics may reduce respiratory drive, and the resulting CO2 retention can further increase intracranial pressure; these patients should be monitored for signs of sedation and respiratory depression, especially when starting therapy. Buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be used with caution in patients with head injury, intracranial lesions, and other circumstances where cerebrospinal pressure may be increased. Opioids may obscure the clinical course in a patient with a head injury; use of buprenorphine analgesics should be avoided in patients with impaired consciousness or coma.

Life-threatening respiratory depression is more likely to occur in older adult, cachectic, or debilitated patients as they may have altered pharmacokinetics (or altered clearance) compared to younger, healthier patients. These patients should be monitored closely, especially when starting and titrating buprenorphine analgesics and when coadministering with other drugs that depress respiration; alternatively, the use of nonopioid analgesics should be considered. Buprenorphine should be used with caution in patients with kyphoscoliosis.

Dehydration

Moderate:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a moderate potential interaction with Dehydration.

Treatment with SNRI antidepressants can cause hyponatremia. Caution should be used when treating patients with hyponatremia or at greater risk of hyponatremia such as the elderly, patients taking diuretics or who are volume depleted.

Moderate:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a moderate potential interaction with Dehydration.

Buprenorphine may cause severe hypotension (including orthostatic hypotension, syncope) in ambulatory patients. Risk is increased in patients whose ability to maintain blood pressure has already been compromised by reduced blood volume or coadministration of certain CNS depressant drugs; these patients should be monitored for signs of hypotension after starting or titrating buprenorphine. In patients with circulatory shock, buprenorphine may cause vasodilation that can further reduce cardiac output and blood pressure; buprenorphine analgesics should be avoided in patients with circulatory shock.

Depression

Major:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a major potential interaction with Depression.

Adult and pediatric patients with depression and other psychiatric disorders may experience worsening of their symptoms and may have the emergence of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for worsening of their symptoms, suicidality or changes in their behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment, and at times of dose changes. Discontinuing the medication should be considered if symptoms are persistently worse, or abrupt in onset. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients.

Major:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a major potential interaction with Depression.

Buprenorphine exposes users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse. Each patient's risk should be assessed before prescribing buprenorphine analgesics, and all patients should be monitored regularly for development of such behaviors and conditions. Risks are increased in patients with personal or family history of substance abuse (including drug or alcohol abuse or addiction) or mental illness (e.g., major depression); the potential for such risks should not prevent proper pain management in any given patient. Patients at increased risk may be prescribed buprenorphine analgesics but use in such patients requires intensive counseling about the risks and proper use of buprenorphine, as well as intensive monitoring for signs of addiction, abuse, and misuse; prescribing naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose should be considered. All patients using buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be monitored for progression of opioid use disorder and addictive behaviors.

Buprenorphine is sought for nonmedical use (including by individuals with opioid use disorder) and is subject to criminal diversion. These risks should be considered when prescribing or dispensing buprenorphine. Strategies to reduce such risks should be used (e.g., prescribe smallest appropriate quantity, careful storage during use, proper disposal of unused drug).

Diabetes Mellitus

Moderate:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a moderate potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.

In clinical trials, treatment with duloxetine delayed-release worsened the glycemic control in some patients with diabetes. Caution should be used when using duloxetine in diabetic patients and their glycemic levels should be checked regularly.

Drug Dependence

Major:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a major potential interaction with Drug Dependence.

Buprenorphine exposes users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse. Each patient's risk should be assessed before prescribing buprenorphine analgesics, and all patients should be monitored regularly for development of such behaviors and conditions. Risks are increased in patients with personal or family history of substance abuse (including drug or alcohol abuse or addiction) or mental illness (e.g., major depression); the potential for such risks should not prevent proper pain management in any given patient. Patients at increased risk may be prescribed buprenorphine analgesics but use in such patients requires intensive counseling about the risks and proper use of buprenorphine, as well as intensive monitoring for signs of addiction, abuse, and misuse; prescribing naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose should be considered. All patients using buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be monitored for progression of opioid use disorder and addictive behaviors.

Buprenorphine is sought for nonmedical use (including by individuals with opioid use disorder) and is subject to criminal diversion. These risks should be considered when prescribing or dispensing buprenorphine. Strategies to reduce such risks should be used (e.g., prescribe smallest appropriate quantity, careful storage during use, proper disposal of unused drug).

Gallbladder Disease

Moderate:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a moderate potential interaction with Gallbladder Disease.

Opioid agonists may cause spasm of the sphincter of Oddi, which may increase biliary tract pressure. Other opioid-induced effects may include a reduction in biliary and pancreatic secretions and transient elevations in serum amylase. Patients with biliary tract disease (including acute pancreatitis) should be regularly evaluated for worsening symptoms. Therapy with opioids should be administered cautiously in patients with biliary tract disease, gallbladder disease, or acute pancreatitis.

Gastrointestinal Obstruction

Major:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a major potential interaction with Gastrointestinal Obstruction.

Opioid analgesics are contraindicated in patients with known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction, including paralytic ileus.

Glaucoma, Narrow Angle

Moderate:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a moderate potential interaction with Glaucoma, Narrow Angle.

SNRI antidepressants cause pupillary dilation that may trigger an angle closure attack in patients with anatomically narrow angle without iridectomy.

Head Injury

Major:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a major potential interaction with Head Injury.

The hypoventilation associated with administration of opioid partial agonists can induce cerebral hypoxia and vasodilatation with resultant increase in intracranial pressure. Unless mechanical ventilation is provided, extreme caution is advised when opioid partial agonists are given to patients with head injury, intracranial lesions, or a preexisting elevated CSF pressure. Also, clinicians treating such patients should be aware that opioid partial agonists may interfere with the evaluation of CNS function, especially with respect to consciousness levels, respiratory status, and pupillary changes.

Major:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a major potential interaction with Head Injury.

Buprenorphine analgesics are contraindicated in patients with significant respiratory depression. Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with buprenorphine. Patients should be monitored closely for respiratory depression, especially during initiation of therapy or after a dosage increase. Prescribing naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose should be considered; however, naloxone may not be effective in reversing respiratory depression produced by buprenorphine due to its slow rate of dissociation from mu receptors.

The use of buprenorphine analgesics in patients with acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or without resuscitative equipment is contraindicated. Buprenorphine-treated patients with significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cor pulmonale, and those with substantially decreased respiratory reserve, hypoxia, hypercapnia, or preexisting respiratory depression are at increased risk of decreased respiratory drive (including apnea), even at recommended dosages of buprenorphine analgesics; buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be used with caution in such patients with compromised respiratory function. In patients who may be susceptible to the intracranial effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) retention (e.g., those with evidence of increased intracranial pressure or brain tumors), buprenorphine analgesics may reduce respiratory drive, and the resulting CO2 retention can further increase intracranial pressure; these patients should be monitored for signs of sedation and respiratory depression, especially when starting therapy. Buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be used with caution in patients with head injury, intracranial lesions, and other circumstances where cerebrospinal pressure may be increased. Opioids may obscure the clinical course in a patient with a head injury; use of buprenorphine analgesics should be avoided in patients with impaired consciousness or coma.

Life-threatening respiratory depression is more likely to occur in older adult, cachectic, or debilitated patients as they may have altered pharmacokinetics (or altered clearance) compared to younger, healthier patients. These patients should be monitored closely, especially when starting and titrating buprenorphine analgesics and when coadministering with other drugs that depress respiration; alternatively, the use of nonopioid analgesics should be considered. Buprenorphine should be used with caution in patients with kyphoscoliosis.

Heart Failure

Moderate:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a moderate potential interaction with Heart Failure.

Thorough QT studies with buprenorphine have shown QT prolongation 15 msec or less; this QTc prolongation effect does not appear to be mediated by hERG channels. Based on these 2 findings, buprenorphine is unlikely to be proarrhythmic when used alone in patients without risk factors. However, these observations should be considered in clinical decisions when prescribing buprenorphine to patients with risk factors (e.g., hypokalemia, bradycardia, recent conversion from atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, baseline QT prolongation, subclinical long-QT syndrome, severe hypomagnesemia).

High Blood Pressure

Moderate:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a moderate potential interaction with High Blood Pressure.

Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressants (SNRIs) have been associated with sustained increases in blood pressure. Therapy with SNRI antidepressants should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting hypertension. Blood pressure should be assessed prior to initiating treatment and monitored regularly. The dose should be reduced or discontinued if necessary.

Hypokalemia

Moderate:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a moderate potential interaction with Hypokalemia.

Thorough QT studies with buprenorphine have shown QT prolongation 15 msec or less; this QTc prolongation effect does not appear to be mediated by hERG channels. Based on these 2 findings, buprenorphine is unlikely to be proarrhythmic when used alone in patients without risk factors. However, these observations should be considered in clinical decisions when prescribing buprenorphine to patients with risk factors (e.g., hypokalemia, bradycardia, recent conversion from atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, baseline QT prolongation, subclinical long-QT syndrome, severe hypomagnesemia).

Hyponatremia

Moderate:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a moderate potential interaction with Hyponatremia.

Treatment with SNRI antidepressants can cause hyponatremia. Caution should be used when treating patients with hyponatremia or at greater risk of hyponatremia such as the elderly, patients taking diuretics or who are volume depleted.

Hypotension

Moderate:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a moderate potential interaction with Hypotension.

Buprenorphine may cause severe hypotension (including orthostatic hypotension, syncope) in ambulatory patients. Risk is increased in patients whose ability to maintain blood pressure has already been compromised by reduced blood volume or coadministration of certain CNS depressant drugs; these patients should be monitored for signs of hypotension after starting or titrating buprenorphine. In patients with circulatory shock, buprenorphine may cause vasodilation that can further reduce cardiac output and blood pressure; buprenorphine analgesics should be avoided in patients with circulatory shock.

Liver Disease

Major:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Postmarketing studies have reported that duloxetine and some other SNRIs like milnacipran may aggravate preexisting liver disease. The use of duloxetine delayed-release and milnacipran should be avoided in patients with chronic liver disease or cirrhosis.

Moderate:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Buprenorphine is metabolized in the liver, and its activity may be increased and/or extended in patients with impaired liver function.
-Buccal film or sublingual tablets: A dose adjustment is recommended for patients with severe liver dysfunction; patients with moderate or severe liver dysfunction should be periodically assessed for signs/symptoms of toxicity or overdose caused by increased buprenorphine levels.
-IM/IV injection: This product should be administered with caution in patients with severe liver dysfunction.
-Subcutaneous injection or subdermal implant: The effect of liver dysfunction on the pharmacokinetics of this product has not been studied. Due to the long-acting nature of the subcutaneous injection, dosage adjustments are not rapidly reflected in plasma buprenorphine levels. Because buprenorphine levels cannot be rapidly adjusted when using the subcutaneous injection, and because the subdermal implant cannot be titrated, patients with preexisting moderate to severe liver dysfunction are not candidates for treatment with these products.
-Transdermal system: This product has not been evaluated in patients with severe liver dysfunction; because this product is only intended for 7-day application, use of an alternate analgesic that may permit more flexibility with dosing in these patients should be considered.

Long QT Syndrome

Moderate:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a moderate potential interaction with Long QT Syndrome.

Thorough QT studies with buprenorphine have shown QT prolongation 15 msec or less; this QTc prolongation effect does not appear to be mediated by hERG channels. Based on these 2 findings, buprenorphine is unlikely to be proarrhythmic when used alone in patients without risk factors. However, these observations should be considered in clinical decisions when prescribing buprenorphine to patients with risk factors (e.g., hypokalemia, bradycardia, recent conversion from atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, baseline QT prolongation, subclinical long-QT syndrome, severe hypomagnesemia).

Magnesium Imbalance

Moderate:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a moderate potential interaction with Magnesium Imbalance.

Thorough QT studies with buprenorphine have shown QT prolongation 15 msec or less; this QTc prolongation effect does not appear to be mediated by hERG channels. Based on these 2 findings, buprenorphine is unlikely to be proarrhythmic when used alone in patients without risk factors. However, these observations should be considered in clinical decisions when prescribing buprenorphine to patients with risk factors (e.g., hypokalemia, bradycardia, recent conversion from atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, baseline QT prolongation, subclinical long-QT syndrome, severe hypomagnesemia).

Mania

Moderate:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a moderate potential interaction with Mania.

Therapy with SNRI antidepressants can cause activation of mania and hypomania and should be used with caution in patients with personal or family history of mania, hypomania, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders.

Pancreatitis

Moderate:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a moderate potential interaction with Pancreatitis.

Opioid agonists may cause spasm of the sphincter of Oddi, which may increase biliary tract pressure. Other opioid-induced effects may include a reduction in biliary and pancreatic secretions and transient elevations in serum amylase. Patients with biliary tract disease (including acute pancreatitis) should be regularly evaluated for worsening symptoms. Therapy with opioids should be administered cautiously in patients with biliary tract disease, gallbladder disease, or acute pancreatitis.

Psychiatric Disorders

Major:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a major potential interaction with Psychiatric Disorders.

Buprenorphine exposes users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse. Each patient's risk should be assessed before prescribing buprenorphine analgesics, and all patients should be monitored regularly for development of such behaviors and conditions. Risks are increased in patients with personal or family history of substance abuse (including drug or alcohol abuse or addiction) or mental illness (e.g., major depression); the potential for such risks should not prevent proper pain management in any given patient. Patients at increased risk may be prescribed buprenorphine analgesics but use in such patients requires intensive counseling about the risks and proper use of buprenorphine, as well as intensive monitoring for signs of addiction, abuse, and misuse; prescribing naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose should be considered. All patients using buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be monitored for progression of opioid use disorder and addictive behaviors.

Buprenorphine is sought for nonmedical use (including by individuals with opioid use disorder) and is subject to criminal diversion. These risks should be considered when prescribing or dispensing buprenorphine. Strategies to reduce such risks should be used (e.g., prescribe smallest appropriate quantity, careful storage during use, proper disposal of unused drug).

Pulmonary Impairment

Major:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a major potential interaction with Pulmonary Impairment.

Buprenorphine analgesics are contraindicated in patients with significant respiratory depression. Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with buprenorphine. Patients should be monitored closely for respiratory depression, especially during initiation of therapy or after a dosage increase. Prescribing naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose should be considered; however, naloxone may not be effective in reversing respiratory depression produced by buprenorphine due to its slow rate of dissociation from mu receptors.

The use of buprenorphine analgesics in patients with acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or without resuscitative equipment is contraindicated. Buprenorphine-treated patients with significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cor pulmonale, and those with substantially decreased respiratory reserve, hypoxia, hypercapnia, or preexisting respiratory depression are at increased risk of decreased respiratory drive (including apnea), even at recommended dosages of buprenorphine analgesics; buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be used with caution in such patients with compromised respiratory function. In patients who may be susceptible to the intracranial effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) retention (e.g., those with evidence of increased intracranial pressure or brain tumors), buprenorphine analgesics may reduce respiratory drive, and the resulting CO2 retention can further increase intracranial pressure; these patients should be monitored for signs of sedation and respiratory depression, especially when starting therapy. Buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be used with caution in patients with head injury, intracranial lesions, and other circumstances where cerebrospinal pressure may be increased. Opioids may obscure the clinical course in a patient with a head injury; use of buprenorphine analgesics should be avoided in patients with impaired consciousness or coma.

Life-threatening respiratory depression is more likely to occur in older adult, cachectic, or debilitated patients as they may have altered pharmacokinetics (or altered clearance) compared to younger, healthier patients. These patients should be monitored closely, especially when starting and titrating buprenorphine analgesics and when coadministering with other drugs that depress respiration; alternatively, the use of nonopioid analgesics should be considered. Buprenorphine should be used with caution in patients with kyphoscoliosis.

Renal Dysfunction

Major:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a major potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

The use of duloxetine should be avoided in patients with severe renal impairment (GFR <30 mL/min).

Moderate:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Buprenorphine is substantially excreted by the kidney; the risk of adverse reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Buprenorphine has not been studied in patients with renal dysfunction; caution is recommended when used in patients with severe renal dysfunction.

Respiratory Arrest

Major:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a major potential interaction with Respiratory Arrest.

Buprenorphine analgesics are contraindicated in patients with significant respiratory depression. Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with buprenorphine. Patients should be monitored closely for respiratory depression, especially during initiation of therapy or after a dosage increase. Prescribing naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose should be considered; however, naloxone may not be effective in reversing respiratory depression produced by buprenorphine due to its slow rate of dissociation from mu receptors.

The use of buprenorphine analgesics in patients with acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or without resuscitative equipment is contraindicated. Buprenorphine-treated patients with significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cor pulmonale, and those with substantially decreased respiratory reserve, hypoxia, hypercapnia, or preexisting respiratory depression are at increased risk of decreased respiratory drive (including apnea), even at recommended dosages of buprenorphine analgesics; buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be used with caution in such patients with compromised respiratory function. In patients who may be susceptible to the intracranial effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) retention (e.g., those with evidence of increased intracranial pressure or brain tumors), buprenorphine analgesics may reduce respiratory drive, and the resulting CO2 retention can further increase intracranial pressure; these patients should be monitored for signs of sedation and respiratory depression, especially when starting therapy. Buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be used with caution in patients with head injury, intracranial lesions, and other circumstances where cerebrospinal pressure may be increased. Opioids may obscure the clinical course in a patient with a head injury; use of buprenorphine analgesics should be avoided in patients with impaired consciousness or coma.

Life-threatening respiratory depression is more likely to occur in older adult, cachectic, or debilitated patients as they may have altered pharmacokinetics (or altered clearance) compared to younger, healthier patients. These patients should be monitored closely, especially when starting and titrating buprenorphine analgesics and when coadministering with other drugs that depress respiration; alternatively, the use of nonopioid analgesics should be considered. Buprenorphine should be used with caution in patients with kyphoscoliosis.

Scoliosis

Major:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a major potential interaction with Scoliosis.

Buprenorphine analgesics are contraindicated in patients with significant respiratory depression. Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with buprenorphine. Patients should be monitored closely for respiratory depression, especially during initiation of therapy or after a dosage increase. Prescribing naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose should be considered; however, naloxone may not be effective in reversing respiratory depression produced by buprenorphine due to its slow rate of dissociation from mu receptors.

The use of buprenorphine analgesics in patients with acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or without resuscitative equipment is contraindicated. Buprenorphine-treated patients with significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cor pulmonale, and those with substantially decreased respiratory reserve, hypoxia, hypercapnia, or preexisting respiratory depression are at increased risk of decreased respiratory drive (including apnea), even at recommended dosages of buprenorphine analgesics; buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be used with caution in such patients with compromised respiratory function. In patients who may be susceptible to the intracranial effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) retention (e.g., those with evidence of increased intracranial pressure or brain tumors), buprenorphine analgesics may reduce respiratory drive, and the resulting CO2 retention can further increase intracranial pressure; these patients should be monitored for signs of sedation and respiratory depression, especially when starting therapy. Buprenorphine for opioid dependence should be used with caution in patients with head injury, intracranial lesions, and other circumstances where cerebrospinal pressure may be increased. Opioids may obscure the clinical course in a patient with a head injury; use of buprenorphine analgesics should be avoided in patients with impaired consciousness or coma.

Life-threatening respiratory depression is more likely to occur in older adult, cachectic, or debilitated patients as they may have altered pharmacokinetics (or altered clearance) compared to younger, healthier patients. These patients should be monitored closely, especially when starting and titrating buprenorphine analgesics and when coadministering with other drugs that depress respiration; alternatively, the use of nonopioid analgesics should be considered. Buprenorphine should be used with caution in patients with kyphoscoliosis.

Seizures

Moderate:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a moderate potential interaction with Seizures.

SNRI antidepressants may trigger seizures and should be administered with caution in patients with a seizure disorder.

Moderate:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a moderate potential interaction with Seizures.

Narcotic (opioid) analgesic agents may increase the frequency of seizures in patients with seizure disorders, may increase the risk of seizures occurring in other clinical settings associated with seizures, and, at higher dosages, have been reported to induce seizures in patients without history of seizures. Patients with history of seizure disorders should be regularly evaluated for worsened seizure control during therapy. Prolonged meperidine use may increase the risk of toxicity (e.g., seizures) from the accumulation of the active metabolite (normeperidine).

Shock

Moderate:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a moderate potential interaction with Shock.

Buprenorphine may cause severe hypotension (including orthostatic hypotension, syncope) in ambulatory patients. Risk is increased in patients whose ability to maintain blood pressure has already been compromised by reduced blood volume or coadministration of certain CNS depressant drugs; these patients should be monitored for signs of hypotension after starting or titrating buprenorphine. In patients with circulatory shock, buprenorphine may cause vasodilation that can further reduce cardiac output and blood pressure; buprenorphine analgesics should be avoided in patients with circulatory shock.

Urinary Retention

Moderate:

Sublocade

The buprenorphine in Sublocade has a moderate potential interaction with Urinary Retention.

Buprenorphine should be used with caution in patients with prostatic hypertrophy or urethral stricture. Urinary retention has been reported with buprenorphine.

Urinary Tract Infection

Moderate:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a moderate potential interaction with Urinary Tract Infection.

SNRI antidepressants have a noradrenergic effect and can affect urethral resistance. Caution should be used in patients with a history of dysuria, prostatic hypertrophy, prostatitis, and other lower urinary tract obstructive disorders.

Urinary Tract Obstruction

Moderate:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a moderate potential interaction with Urinary Tract Obstruction.

SNRI antidepressants have a noradrenergic effect and can affect urethral resistance. Caution should be used in patients with a history of dysuria, prostatic hypertrophy, prostatitis, and other lower urinary tract obstructive disorders.

More resources

duloxetine

A total of 654 drugs are known to interact with duloxetine.

Sublocade

A total of 754 drugs are known to interact with Sublocade.

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.