OPIOIDS AND PROTEASE INHIBITORS - BUPRENORPHINE
Atazanavir with ritonavir can increase the levels of buprenorphine and increase its adverse effects such as sedation. Other protease inhibitors may also be expected to interact similarly but there seems little documented about these effects in practice.
The manufacturers recommend avoiding concurrent use as the magnitude of the interaction is unknown. However if concurrent use is needed in patients taking protease inhibitors, the initial dose of buprenorphine should be halved.
The manufacturers recommend avoiding concurrent use as the magnitude of the interaction is unknown. However if concurrent use is needed in patients taking protease inhibitors, the initial dose of buprenorphine should be halved.