What is buprenorphine?
Buprenorphine is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat opioid dependence as part of medication-assisted treatment. It is also used to effectively treat chronic pain.
There are a number of formulations of buprenorphine available:
- Generic buprenorphine/naloxone sublingual tablets
- Suboxone sublingual films – A combination of buprenorphine and naloxone (also known as Narcan). This is the most widely used form.
- Zubsolv sublingual tablets – A combination of buprenorphine and naloxone.
- Bunavail buccal films – A combination of buprenorphine and naloxone.
- Probuphine – Buprenorphine implants
- Subutex sublingual tablets – Contains only buprenorphine.
- Buvidal – A modified release formulation of buprenorphine for administration by subcutaneous (SC) injection once a week (Buvidal Weekly) or once a month (Buvidal Monthly).
- Sublocade – An extended-release formulation of buprenorphine, administered monthly by SC injection.
The advantage of buprenorphine is that it is the first medication for treating opioid use disorder that can be prescribed in settings other than opioid treatment programs. Doctors who dispense buprenorphine are required to complete specialized training. Generation Health providers are certified to prescribe buprenorphine.
Am I a good candidate for buprenorphine?
Patients who are addicted to opioids or are concerned about opioid dependence are good candidates for buprenorphine. The signs and symptoms of opioid dependence include: uncontrolled cravings for opioids and inability to control use, withdrawal symptoms when attempting to cut opioid use, changes in sleep habits, lack of hygiene, financial challenges,and isolation from loved ones.
A licensed medical professional at Generation Health will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine if you are a good candidate for buprenorphine. Individuals who are pregnant, nursing, or have kidney or thyroid problems are not good candidates for buprenorphine. To best determine if you are a good candidate for buprenorphine, you must stop using opioids for 12-24 hours.
How does buprenorphine work and what are the benefits?
Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist that works by eliciting some of the same euphoric effects as opioids, but to a lesser degree. Because of its unique properties, it helps diminish physical dependence on opioids, such as withdrawal symptoms and cravings; increase safety in case of overdose; and lower the potential for misuse. It produces effects common with opioids, such as euphoria and respiratory depression, at low to moderate doses, making it a better alternative to opioids, particularly when an individual has developed dependence. With regards to chronic pain, buprenorphine has reduced potential for dependence while still delivering opioid-level strength pain management. Due to its non-addictive properties, doctors are able to prescribe them at higher levels than they would another opioid.
Buprenorphine is best used as part of a comprehensive, integrated treatment plan that includes counseling and other behavioral therapies.
How is buprenorphine administered?
Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist that works by eliciting some of the same euphoric effects as opioids, but to a lesser degree. Because of its unique properties, it helps diminish physical dependence on opioids, such as withdrawal symptoms and cravings; increase safety in case of overdose; and lower the potential for misuse. It produces effects common with opioids, such as euphoria and respiratory depression, at low to moderate doses, making it a better alternative to opioids, particularly when an individual has developed dependence. With regards to chronic pain, buprenorphine has reduced potential for dependence while still delivering opioid-level strength pain management. Due to its non-addictive properties, doctors are able to prescribe them at higher levels than they would another opioid.
Buprenorphine is best used as part of a comprehensive, integrated treatment plan that includes counseling and other behavioral therapies.
How is buprenorphine administered?
Buprenorphine can be administered as a sublingual table, sublingual film, buccal film, implant, or extended release injection.
What is it like undergoing buprenorphine therapy?
Patients must first stop using opioids for 12-24 hours as the initial dose of buprenorphine can only be administered if the patient is in the early stages of withdrawal. Doing otherwise can result in acute withdrawal symptoms.
There are three phases of treatment: induction (1-3 days), stabilization (to find the dose that best meets your needs), and maintenance (to keep cravings away and prevent relapse, while also providing relief needed for chronic pain if that is co-occurring). Most patients are best served by being in maintenance for 12-18 months. Buprenorphine is safe for longterm use.
What are the side effects with buprenorphine?
No drug is without side effects. The possible benefits of taking buprenorphine may outweigh the possible risks. Common side effects of buprenorphine include: constipation, headache, nausea, and vomiting; dizziness; drowsiness and fatigue; sweating; dry mouth; muscle aches and cramps; inability to sleep; fever; blurred vision or dilated pupils; tremors; palpitations; and disturbance in attention. Other, less common but more serious side effects are possible including: respiratory distress; overdose; adrenal insufficiency; dependence; withdrawal; itching, pain, swelling, and nerve damage (implant); pain at injection site (injection); and neonatal abstinence syndrome (in newborns).
How much does buprenorphine cost?
Most insurance companies cover the cost of buprenorphine prescriptions.
Read more about buprenorphine on our research page.