buprenorphine/naloxone vs phenelzine

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Side-by-side comparison of buprenorphine/naloxone and phenelzine. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

Examples: phenelzine, tranylcypromine, linezolid Muscle Relaxants Clinical Impact: Buprenorphine may enhance the neuromuscular blocking action of skeletal muscle relaxants and produce an increased degree of respiratory depression.

Drug Class
buprenorphine/naloxone Partial Opioid Agonist / Antagonist
phenelzine Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI)
Type
buprenorphine/naloxone Prescription
phenelzine Prescription
Summary
buprenorphine/naloxone

Suboxone film contains buprenorphine and naloxone. It is used to treat opioid dependence as part of a complete treatment plan.

phenelzine

Phenelzine (Nardil) is a medicine used to treat depression. It belongs to a class of drugs called MAO inhibitors.

What It Treats
buprenorphine/naloxone

Suboxone film is used to treat opioid dependence. Opioid dependence means you are addicted to opioid drugs. This medicine should be used with counseling and support.

phenelzine

This medicine treats depression, especially when it involves anxiety, phobias, or hypochondria. It is often used when other antidepressants haven't worked. It may not be as effective for severe depression with 'endogenous' features.

How It Works
buprenorphine/naloxone

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, meaning it has some opioid effects. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, which blocks the effects of opioids. Together, they help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without causing a strong "high."

phenelzine

Phenelzine works by blocking an enzyme called monoamine oxidase (MAO) in your body. MAO breaks down certain chemicals in the brain, like serotonin and norepinephrine. By blocking MAO, phenelzine helps increase the levels of these chemicals, which can improve mood.

Common Side Effects
buprenorphine/naloxone
  • Mouth numbness
  • Tongue pain
  • Mouth redness
  • Headache
  • Feeling sick to your stomach
phenelzine
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Drowsiness
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Tiredness
FAERS Reports
buprenorphine/naloxone
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 138
  • Throwing up 92
  • Reaction at the injection site 90
  • Headache 79
  • Problem with the medicine being substituted 73
phenelzine
  • Depression 187
  • Headache 136
  • Anxiety 129
  • Weight Increased 120
  • Insomnia 104
Serious Warnings
buprenorphine/naloxone

Buprenorphine can be abused, like other opioids. Taking Suboxone with other depressants like alcohol or benzodiazepines can cause serious breathing problems, coma, or death. Keep Suboxone out of the reach of children, as it can cause severe breathing problems and death if they take it. Using opioids for a long time during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.

phenelzine

Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, teens, and young adults. Your doctor will monitor you closely for worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should also watch for these changes and report them to the doctor. This medicine is not approved for use in children.

Pregnancy
buprenorphine/naloxone

If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor. Using Suboxone during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in the baby after birth. Buprenorphine passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor before breastfeeding.

phenelzine

It is not known if phenelzine can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

Compare phenelzine with

How to Read This buprenorphine/naloxone vs phenelzine Comparison

buprenorphine/naloxone is classified in the Partial Opioid Agonist / Antagonist drug class, while phenelzine sits within the Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, buprenorphine/naloxone has 472 submissions while phenelzine has 676. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to this combination can cause a dangerous reaction that affects your brain's serotonin levels and can slow down your breathing.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for buprenorphine/naloxone or phenelzine.

Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.