Buprenorphine/Naloxone Side Effects

[Yorkie111]

Hello! I am trying to get info to resolve a problem I am having with my feet/ankles swelling quite a bit all day long. My cardiologist office thinks it is a side effect of the Buprenorphine I have been taking for a few months for my RLS. I’ve found a couple of references to minor swelling being a side effect but I am almost to the point I can’t wear my shoes! Has anyone else had this problem? Thanks!

[SueJohnson]

You might want to take a diuretic but be sure it is a potassium sparing one.

[Yorkie111 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks. Will try that.

[Madlegs1]

What blood pressure medications are you on?

A lot of them can give ankle swelling as a side effect.

[Yorkie111 in reply to Madlegs1]

Good thought but I’ve been on the same blood pressure meds for over 8 years. About a year ago I went on rosuvastatin. Thanks!

[Joolsg]

No. I had leg swelling on gabapentin and pregabalin. But not since I reduced pregabalin down to a tiny dose.Buprenorphine hasn't caused any swelling.

[Yorkie111 in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks Joolsg! It could be the pregablin. I’ve only been on it 2-3 months and the swelling has been going on a month but now getting worse. Maybe I should give it another month and see if it stops. If it doesn’t I’ll look at switching to pregablin.

[Joolsg in reply to Yorkie111]

Oh- didn't realise you were on pregabalin as well.It will definitely be pregabalin. It is a well known, common side effect of pregabalin.

mayoclinic.org/drugs-supple...

[ChrisColumbus]

While I don't take buprenorphine, fairly commonly peripheral oedema (fluid retention in the lower legs, feet or hands) and rarely angioedema (an allergic reaction causing swelling of areas of the face, hands or feet, or genitals) are known side effects. Jools hasn't experienced oedema on the buprenorphine but I see did on pregabalin, and as Madlegs writes these symptoms can also be caused by other drugs

[Joolsg]

bicyclehealth.com/suboxone-...

It could be either or both of the Suboxone AND pregabalin.

It's noted as a common side effect of pregabalin and a rare side effect of suboxone.

[Popsinlv]

I had swelling problems while taking pramipexole/ tramadol. Started taking buprenorphine about six weeks ago, and the swelling went away.

[Leeserann]

Hi,

I experienced this as well, after weaning off the pramipexole and moving to the gabapentin. It is a known possible side effect. Keep in touch with your doctor about it. It can rarely be a sign of something more serious. For me, as Sue sai, a low dosage diuretic was all I needed until the side affects gradually wore off. I don’t need it anymore. I took it for maybe 2 months.

[Yorkie111 in reply to Leeserann]

Thanks. Glad to know the swelling is known to go down and I will see about a diuretic. I am getting ready to email my neurology PS and explain what is going on.