What is buprenorphine?
buprenorphine dose 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).
Before taking this medicine
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.
How should I take buprenorphine?buprenorphine 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.
Opioid Use Disorder
Buprenorphine Sublingual (for OUD)
Buprenorphine sublingual is usually taken only at the start of treatment for addiction (induction phase). Most people are later switched to long-acting buprenorphine (Sublocade injection or Brixadi injection) or another medicine that contains buprenorphine with naloxone (Bunavail, Suboxone, Zubsolv). You may receive your first doses of buprenorphine sublingual in a hospital or clinic setting until your condition improves. Use dry hands when handling the tablet. Place the tablet under your tongue and allow it to dissolve with your mouth closed. Do not chew the tablet or swallow it whole. If your doctor has prescribed more than 2 tablets per dose, place the correct number of tablets under your tongue at the same time and allow them to dissolve completely. Do not eat or drink anything until the tablet has completely dissolved in your mouth. Never crush or break a pill to inhale the powder or mix it into a liquid to inject the drug into your vein. Doing so could result in death.
