Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is an opioid medication used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD), acute pain, and chronic pain . Buprenorphine is used for opioid addiction to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without causing euphoria or dangerous side effects and helps prevent relapse. It works by being a substitute for the drug being abused, so the patient has minimal discomfort, which allows the patient to focus on their recovery. Buprenorphine for OUD is used as part of a complete treatment program that also includes counseling and behavioral therapy. For opioid use disorder, buprenorphine is available as long-acting injections ( Sublocade , Brixadi ) and sublingual tablets ( Subutex discontinued, generics available). Buprenorphine is used to treat acute pain that is severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and moderate to severe chronic pain that is not controlled by other medicines. For chronic around-the-clock pain, it is available as buprenorphine skin patches ( Butrans ) and buprenorphine buccal films ( Belbuca ), and for acute pain is available as an injection ( Buprenex ). Buprenorphine-naloxone combinations are also available to be used for opioid addication and include sublingual film (Bunavail), sublingual film and sublingual tablets (Suboxone), and sublingual tablets (Zubsolv). Buprenorphine's mechanism of action is that is a partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor and an antagonist at the kappa-opioid receptor.

Buprenorphine is an opioid medication used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD), acute pain, and chronic pain . Buprenorphine is used for opioid addiction to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without causing euphoria or dangerous side effects and helps prevent relapse. It works by being a substitute for the drug being abused, so the patient has minimal discomfort, which allows the patient to focus on their recovery. Buprenorphine for OUD is used as part of a complete treatment program that also includes counseling and behavioral therapy. For opioid use disorder, buprenorphine is available as long-acting injections ( Sublocade , Brixadi ) and sublingual tablets ( Subutex discontinued, generics available). Buprenorphine is used to treat acute pain that is severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and moderate to severe chronic pain that is not controlled by other medicines. For chronic around-the-clock pain, it is available as buprenorphine skin patches ( Butrans ) and buprenorphine buccal films ( Belbuca ), and for acute pain is available as an injection ( Buprenex ). Buprenorphine-naloxone combinations are also available to be used for opioid addication and include sublingual film (Bunavail), sublingual film and sublingual tablets (Suboxone), and sublingual tablets (Zubsolv). Buprenorphine's mechanism of action is that is a partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor and an antagonist at the kappa-opioid receptor.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to buprenorphine or: If you have used another narcotic drug within the past 4 hours. To make sure this medication is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: methadone treatment; breathing problems, sleep apnea ; abnormal curvature of the spine that affects breathing; liver disease (especially hepatitis B or C); kidney disease; enlarged prostate , urination problems; a head injury or brain tumor ; alcoholism , hallucinations, mental illness; or problems with your stomach, gallbladder, adrenal gland, or thyroid.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to buprenorphine: hives ; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should give naloxone and/or seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up. Call your doctor at once if you have: opioid withdrawal symptoms - shivering, goose bumps, increased sweating, feeling hot or cold, runny nose , watery eyes, diarrhea , muscle pain; noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing, breathing that stops during sleep; slow heartbeat or weak pulse; a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; chest pain, trouble breathing; low cortisol levels - nausea , vomiting , loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness; or liver problems - nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation , hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate , muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Common buprenorphine side effects may be more likely to occur, such as: constipation , nausea, vomiting; headache ; increased sweating; sleep problems ( insomnia ); or pain anywhere in your body. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

MISUSE OF OPIOID MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep buprenorphine in a place where others cannot get to it. Patient Access to Naloxone for the Emergency Treatment of Opioid Overdose. Patients should have access to naloxone to treat opioid overdose based on the patient’s risk factors for overdose, such as currently using a CNS depressant, a history of an opioid use disorder, or previous opioid overdose.  Having naloxone available is important if the patient has household members (including children) or other close contacts at risk for accidental exposure or overdose. Taking this medicine during pregnancy may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. Fatal side effects can occur if you use this medication with alcohol or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.

MISUSE OF OPIOID MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep buprenorphine in a place where others cannot get to it. Patient Access to Naloxone for the Emergency Treatment of Opioid Overdose. Patients should have access to naloxone to treat opioid overdose based on the patient’s risk factors for overdose, such as currently using a CNS depressant, a history of an opioid use disorder, or previous opioid overdose.  Having naloxone available is important if the patient has household members (including children) or other close contacts at risk for accidental exposure or overdose. Taking this medicine during pregnancy may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. Fatal side effects can occur if you use this medication with alcohol or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.

Scraped Dose — Use buprenorphine exactly as it was prescribed for you. Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Never use this medication in larger amounts or for longer than prescribed.

No child dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

You may have breathing problems or withdrawal symptoms if you start or stop taking certain other medicines. Tell your doctor if you also use an antibiotic , antifungal medication, heart or blood pressure medication, seizure medication, or medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C. Buprenorphine can interact with many other drugs and cause dangerous side effects or death. Be sure your doctor knows if you also use: cold or allergy medicines, bronchodilator asthma / COPD medication, or a diuretic ("water pill"); medicines for motion sickness , irritable bowel syndrome , or overactive bladder ; other narcotic medications - opioid pain medicine or prescription cough medicine; a sedative like Valium - diazepam , alprazolam , lorazepam , Xanax , Klonopin , Versed , and others; drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing - a sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, medicine to treat mood disorders or mental illness; or drugs that affect serotonin levels in your body - a stimulant, or medicine for depression , Parkinson's disease , migraine headaches, serious infections, or nausea and vomiting . This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with buprenorphine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins , and herbal products . Not all possible interactions are listed here.

No storage information is recorded for this medicine yet.