What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Buprenorphine and morphine
Buprenorphine's FDA label (Brixadi) of December 31, 2025 names morphine in its warnings and precautions section, and morphine's label names buprenorphine too. The morphine label: “May reduce the analgesic effect of MS CONTIN and/or precipitate withdrawal symptoms.”
Check it at the source: the buprenorphine FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 5, 2026); the morphine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 13, 2026, Bryant Ranch Prepack).
What does the buprenorphine label say about morphine?
Brixadi label (Braeburn Inc., December 31, 2025), warnings and precautionsSigns and Symptoms Because of the partial agonist properties of buprenorphine, BRIXADI injection may precipitate opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms in individuals physically dependent on full opioid agonists such as heroin, morphine, or methadone before the effects of the full opioid agonist have subsided.
Sublocade label (Indivior Inc., July 27, 2026), warnings and precautionsWithdrawal in Patients Dependent on Full Agonist Opioids Because of the partial opioid agonist properties of buprenorphine, buprenorphine may precipitate opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms in persons who are currently physically dependent on full opioid agonists if administered before the effects of the full opioid agonist have subsided, at least 6 hours for short-acting opioids (e.g., heroin, morphine) and 24 hours for long-acting opioids (e.g., methadone).
Source: FDA drug label (Brixadi, NDA210136), Braeburn Inc., effective December 31, 2025 (SPL set 5d8a8fd0-8619-422a-a664-d1d2e8970f48), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Sublocade, NDA209819), Indivior Inc., effective July 27, 2026 (SPL set 6189fb21-9432-45f8-8481-0bfaf3ccde95), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Buprenorphine HCl), SpecGx LLC, effective June 5, 2026 (SPL set b60d514d-a88a-4fa2-a5b0-30ac29e04973), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the morphine label say about buprenorphine?
Morphine label, drug interactionsClinical Impact: May reduce the analgesic effect of morphine sulfate and/or precipitate withdrawal symptoms. Intervention: Avoid concomitant use. Examples: butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine, buprenorphine Muscle Relaxants
Morphine label, warnings and precautionsAdditionally, avoid the use of mixed agonist/antagonist (e.g., pentazocine, nalbuphine, and butorphanol) or partial agonist (e.g., buprenorphine) analgesics in patients who have received or are receiving a course of therapy with a full opioid agonist analgesic, including morphine sulfate.
Morphine Sulfate label (Fresenius Kabi, USA LLC, August 31, 2026), drug interactionsMonoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Clinical Impact: MAOI interactions with opioids may manifest as serotonin syndrome or opioid toxicity (…). … and frequent titration of small doses of other opioids (such as oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, or buprenorphine) to treat pain while closely monitoring blood pressure and signs and symptoms of CNS and respiratory depression. Examples: phenelzine, tranylcypromine, linezolid
Morphine Sulfate label (Fresenius Kabi, USA LLC, August 31, 2026), warnings and precautionsAvoid the use of mixed agonist/antagonist (e.g., pentazocine, nalbuphine, and butorphanol) or partial agonist (e.g., buprenorphine) analgesics in patients who are receiving a full opioid agonist analgesic, including Morphine Sulfate Injection.
Source: FDA drug label (Ms Contin, NDA019516), Rhodes Pharmaceuticals LLC, effective August 14, 2026 (SPL set c354b3bf-86c0-4bb8-8b1f-be2164942698), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Morphine sulfate), ANDA078761 (Sun Pharm Inds Ltd), as published by Bryant Ranch Prepack, effective July 13, 2026 (SPL set 595243fe-a4b1-479a-99d6-a084a4181891), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Buprenorphine | Morphine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Opioid use disorder, Pain | Pain |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.277 per tablet 2 mg tablet sl | $0.226 per tablet 15 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once