Buprenorphine
Description
Buprenorphine is used in the treatment of severe opioid responsive pain conditions in patients who have not adequately responded to non-opioid analgesics. It is also be used to treat opioid dependence or opioid addiction and prevent the withdrawal symptoms that patients may experience when opioid medications are stopped.
QUICK LINKS:
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Buprenorphine
- Dizziness and Drowsiness
- Headache
- Difficulty in breathing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Itching, redness or irritation at application site
- Anxiety and nervousness
- Watery eyes
- Back pain
- Irregular heartbeat
- Decreased blood pressure
Uses of Buprenorphine
What is it prescribed for?
- Moderate to severe pain
- Opioid dependance
Read More
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed within 15 minutes after an intramuscular administration and 1 hour after intravenous administration of the dose.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 6 hours after intramuscular administration of the dose.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of side effects such as dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
- Is it habit forming?This medicine may be habit-forming.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving/using this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving/using this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to buprenorphine or any other ingredients present along with it.
Respiratory depression
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with respiratory depression due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO)
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients receiving Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO) or who had taken them within the last 2 weeks due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects.
Myasthenia gravis
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease of the muscle due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving/using this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving/using this medicine.
General warnings
Drug withdrawal
Abrupt discontinuation of this medicine may cause withdrawal signs and symptoms. A gradual dose reduction is recommended to avoid these reactions.
Hypotension
This medicine may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure. This risk is especially higher in patients with a history of cardiovascular disorders or electrolyte disturbances. Vital signs should be closely monitored, especially during the first few days of therapy. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Driving and operating machinery
This medicine may cause difficulty in concentrating, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, etc. in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Infectious diarrhea
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with infectious diarrhea since it may worsen the patient's condition. Close monitoring, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Missed Dose
Oral: It is advised to contact the doctor immediately if you miss a dose of this medicine for further details.
Transdermal patch: It is advised to contact the doctor immediately if you miss a dose of this medicine for further details.
Injection: Since this medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Overdose
Oral and Transdermal patch: Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
Injections: Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of side effects such as dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
Interaction with Medicine
Tramadol
CNS depressants
Rasagiline
Disease interactions
Impaired gastrointestinal function
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with impaired gastrointestinal motility since it may worsen the patient's condition. Close monitoring, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with impaired liver function since it may worsen the patient's condition. Close monitoring of liver function, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Impaired kidney function
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with impaired kidney function since it may worsen the patient's condition. Close monitoring of kidney function, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Acute myocardial infarction
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of a heart attack due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Intracranial pressure
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a head injury, intracranial lesions, or increased intracranial pressure due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Addison's Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of Addison's disease due to the increased risk of respiratory depression and prolonged CNS depression. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Hypothyroidism
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with hypothyroidism (a condition where the thyroid gland does not make enough hormones) due to the increased risk of respiratory depression and prolonged CNS depression. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Seizure disorders
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with seizure disorders due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Urinary tract obstruction
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with urinary retention, prostatic hypertrophy or urethral stricture due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Oral (Sub-Lingual): Follow all the instructions given by your doctor and administer this medicine exactly as advised. Do not administer in larger or smaller amounts than prescribed. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of any severe side effects. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Transdermal patch and Injection: This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine acts on certain receptors in the brain and thus reduces the pain. It also works by binding with the opioid receptors in the brain and it has a slowly reversible and prolonged effect on these receptors which enable a minimized need for opioid medications in the addicted patients.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Narcotic analgesics
Schedule
Schedule H1
[Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2019 [cited 2 January 2019]. Available from:
[Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2019 [cited 2 January 2019]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2019 [cited 2 January 2019]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2019 [cited 2 January 2019]. Available from:
[Internet]. Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2019 [cited 2 January 2019]. Available from:
[Internet]. Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2019 [cited 2 January 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 8 May 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.