Relacorilant and Buprenorphine: 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
Relacorilant
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.
Here's what's going on. Relacorilant can slow down a liver enzyme (called CYP3A4) that your body uses to break down buprenorphine. When that enzyme is blocked, buprenorphine can build up higher than usual in your system.
Because buprenorphine is a strong opioid, more of it can mean more side effects, like heavy drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, or slowed breathing. The good news is your care team can manage this. Don't stop or change either medicine on your own. Instead, check in with your pharmacist or doctor so they can decide the safest plan and watch you more closely if you do take both.
Mechanism: Relacorilant inhibits CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of buprenorphine, a CYP3A4 substrate, increasing buprenorphine exposure (AUC/Cmax) and the risk of opioid-related adverse effects.
Direction: Increased buprenorphine effect (neither drug is a prodrug requiring activation here).
- Severity: Major; evidence probable; onset unspecified.
- Risks: Sedation, dizziness, respiratory depression.
- Management: Per labeling, avoid concomitant use unless otherwise recommended. If co-administration is unavoidable, dose should be individualized by the care team with closer monitoring for opioid toxicity and sedation.
What happens
Increased CYP3A4 substrate exposure and an increased risk of CYP3A4-substrate-related adverse reactions
Interaction Deep Dive
Unless there is a specific recommendation to do otherwise, relacorilant should not be taken together with CYP3A4 substrates. When used together, the exposure to these substrates may rise, along with an increased likelihood of adverse reactions related to them1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of relacorilant
How to manage this interaction
What your care team may do:
- The labeling advises avoiding this combination unless your prescriber specifically recommends it.
- If you do need both, your buprenorphine dose may need to be adjusted and individualized by your care team, and they may monitor you more closely for opioid side effects.
What you should do:
- Keep taking both exactly as prescribed for now, don't stop on your own.
- Tell your pharmacist or prescriber that you take these two together so they can confirm the safest plan.
- Report any unusual drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, or slowed breathing right away.
Management is individual — confirm any change with your pharmacist or prescriber.
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
a) In drug interaction studies, giving relacorilant 350 mg in the fasted state (1.8 times the relacorilant exposure achieved at the recommended dose) once daily for 10 days together with midazolam (a CYP3A4 substrate) raised the Cmax by 3.1-fold and the AUC by 8.9-fold 1.
Common questions
Can I take Relacorilant and Buprenorphine together?
Relacorilant can raise buprenorphine levels and increase opioid side effects, so this combination is generally avoided unless your prescriber recommends it. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before combining them. Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Relacorilant 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 is the Relacorilant and Buprenorphine interaction managed?
What your care team may do: The labeling advises avoiding this combination unless your prescriber specifically recommends it. If you do need both, your buprenorphine dose may need to be adjusted and individualized by your care team, and they may monitor you more closely for opioid side effects. What you should do: Keep taking both exactly as prescribed for now, don't stop on your own. Tell your ph… Management is individual — always follow your own care team's guidance.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Relacorilant 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 (1)
- Product Information: LIFYORLI™ oral capsules, relacorilant oral capsules. Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated (Per Manufacturer), Redwood City, CA, 2026. DailyMed
Keep reading about Buprenorphine
Keep reading about Relacorilant
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