Drug Interaction Report

Deutetrabenazine and Buprenorphine: Interaction Details

A pharmacist-reviewed analysis of the Deutetrabenazine and Buprenorphine interaction: the documented clinical effects, severity rating, onset, mechanism, and management considerations, with cited references throughout.

AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature

Buprenorphine

Belbuca Brixadi Buprenex BuTrans Simbadol Sublocade Zorbium
+

Deutetrabenazine

Austedo Austedo XR® Austedo®
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Updated Aug 8, 2026
Editorial policy · Data sources
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Interaction severity
Major
Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
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.

Of 262 documented Deutetrabenazine interactions, 233 are rated major — including this one.
Worried about symptoms right now? Contact your pharmacist or prescriber, or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (US). Call 911 for an emergency.
Onset
unspecified
Evidence
theoretical
Severity
Major

What happens

An increased risk of QT interval prolongation

Interaction Deep Dive

Avoid concomitant use of buprenorphine and drugs that may prolong the QT interval123. The risk of combining buprenorphine with other QT prolongation agents is not known. Consider these observations in clinical decisions when prescribing buprenorphine to patients with risk factors such as hypokalemia, bradycardia, recent conversion from atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, digitalis therapy, baseline QT prolongation, subclinical long-QT syndrome or severe hypomagnesemia 4.

Why it happens (mechanism)

Additive QT interval prolongation

Common questions

Can I take Deutetrabenazine and Buprenorphine together?

An increased risk of QT interval prolongation Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.

How serious is the Deutetrabenazine and Buprenorphine 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 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 Deutetrabenazine or Buprenorphine 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)

  1. Product Information: BELBUCA(TM) buccal film, buprenorphine buccal film. Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (per FDA), Malvern, PA, 2016.
  2. Product Information: BUPRENEX(R) intravenous injection, intramuscular injection, buprenorphine HCl intravenous injection, intramuscular injection. Indivior Inc. (per DailyMed), Richmond, VA, 2016. DailyMed
  3. Product Information: BUTRANS(R) transdermal system patch, buprenorphine transdermal system patch. Purdue Pharma L.P. (per FDA), Stamford, CT, 2016. DailyMed
  4. Product Information: BRIXADI(TM) subcutaneous extended-release injection, buprenorphine subcutaneous extended-release injection. Braeburn Inc (per FDA), Plymouth Meeting, PA, 2023. DailyMed
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Buprenorphine

Keep reading about Buprenorphine

All Buprenorphine interactions (633)
Also serious with: Dronedarone Piperaquine Pimozide Phenelzine
Deutetrabenazine

Keep reading about Deutetrabenazine

All Deutetrabenazine interactions (262) Deutetrabenazine drug information
Also serious with: Isocarboxazid Levoketoconazole Iproniazid Linezolid
Beyond drug–drug

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:

Buprenorphine + 1,4-butanediol Activated Charcoal Beer Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) Grapefruit Kava L-tryptophan Lithium + 206 more
Deutetrabenazine + 1,4-butanediol Activated Charcoal American Hellebore Arsenic Beer Cesium Ephedra Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) + 140 more

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This information is for education, not a substitute for professional medical advice. Do not start, stop, or change any medication without talking to your pharmacist or prescriber.