Buprenorphine and Domperidone: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · AI content regenerated Jul 11, 2026 · Source data updated Jul 2, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Buprenorphine
Domperidone
No brand names on record
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
Both buprenorphine and domperidone can affect the heart's electrical timing, something doctors call the QT interval. When two medicines that do this are taken together, the effect can add up and, in rare cases, lead to an abnormal heart rhythm.
I want to be honest that this is a theoretical concern, meaning it's based on how these drugs work rather than lots of real-world reports. The risk is higher for people with low potassium or magnesium, a slow heartbeat, or existing heart problems. The good news is your care team can manage this by reviewing your medicines and, if needed, choosing a safer option. Please talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making any changes.
Effect: Additive QT-interval prolongation with concurrent buprenorphine and domperidone (both independently associated with QTc prolongation). This is a pharmacodynamic interaction, not a metabolic one; neither drug's clearance drives the risk.
- Direction/magnitude: Additive repolarization delay; combined magnitude not quantified.
- Evidence: Theoretical; combined risk not established.
- Onset: Unspecified.
- Management: Avoid concomitant use where feasible. Heightened caution with hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, bradycardia, CHF, digitalis therapy, recent AF conversion, baseline QTc prolongation, or congenital long-QT. If co-prescribed, consider baseline and follow-up ECG plus electrolyte correction.
What happens
An increased risk of QT interval prolongation
Interaction Deep Dive
Do not use buprenorphine together with agents capable of prolonging the QT interval342. What happens when buprenorphine is paired with other QT prolonging drugs remains uncertain. When buprenorphine is being prescribed for patients who carry risk factors, including hypokalemia, bradycardia, recent conversion from atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, digitalis therapy, baseline QT prolongation, subclinical long-QT syndrome, or severe hypomagnesemia, these points should be taken into account during clinical decision making 1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Additive QT interval prolongation
How to manage this interaction
Both drugs can lengthen the QT interval, so the general guidance is to avoid using them together when possible. Do not stop or change either medicine on your own, keep taking both as prescribed until you speak with your care team.
Here is what your team may do and what you can raise:
- Review whether both drugs are truly needed, or whether an alternative could replace one.
- Check and correct potassium and magnesium levels, and possibly monitor with an ECG.
- Pay extra attention if you have heart problems, a slow heartbeat, or take digoxin.
Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you feel faint, dizzy, or have a fluttering or irregular heartbeat.
Management is individual — confirm any change with your pharmacist or prescriber.
Common questions
Can I take Buprenorphine and Domperidone together?
Buprenorphine and domperidone can both prolong the QT interval, so this combination is best avoided when possible; ask your pharmacist or doctor to review your medicines and heart-risk factors rather than changing anything yourself. Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Buprenorphine and Domperidone interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How is the Buprenorphine and Domperidone interaction managed?
Both drugs can lengthen the QT interval, so the general guidance is to avoid using them together when possible. Do not stop or change either medicine on your own, keep taking both as prescribed until you speak with your care team. Here is what your team may do and what you can raise: Review whether both drugs are truly needed, or whether an alternative could replace one. Check and correct potassiu… Management is individual — always follow your own care team's guidance.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Buprenorphine or Domperidone need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (4)
- Product Information: BRIXADI(TM) subcutaneous extended-release injection, buprenorphine subcutaneous extended-release injection. Braeburn Inc (per FDA), Plymouth Meeting, PA, 2023. DailyMed
- Product Information: BUTRANS(R) transdermal system patch, buprenorphine transdermal system patch. Purdue Pharma L.P. (per FDA), Stamford, CT, 2016. DailyMed
- Product Information: BELBUCA(TM) buccal film, buprenorphine buccal film. Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (per FDA), Malvern, PA, 2016.
- Product Information: BUPRENEX(R) intravenous injection, intramuscular injection, buprenorphine HCl intravenous injection, intramuscular injection. Indivior Inc. (per DailyMed), Richmond, VA, 2016. DailyMed
Keep reading about Buprenorphine
Keep reading about Domperidone
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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