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Subutex, |buprenorphine

buprenorphine

Generic Name: buprenorphine (oral) (byoo pre NOR feen)
Brand Names: Subutex

What is buprenorphine?

Buprenorphine is an opioid (narcotic) medication that is similar to morphine, codeine, and heroin.

Buprenorphine is used to treat narcotic addiction.

Buprenorphine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about buprenorphine?

Like other narcotic medicines, buprenorphine can slow your breathing. Death may occur if breathing becomes too weak.

Taking buprenorphine together with other drugs that cause drowsiness can slow the functions of your breathing and central nervous system to dangerous levels. These effects could result in a fatal overdose.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking buprenorphine?

Before using buprenorphine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;

• liver or kidney disease;

• mental illness or a history of suicide attempt;

• a history of alcoholism or IV drug use; or

• a history of seizures, head injury, or brain tumor.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use buprenorphine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

How should I take buprenorphine?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

The buprenorphine sublingual tablet should be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve. 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.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Throw away any unused buprenorphine tablets down the toilet after your treatment has ended.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a buprenorphine overdose may include slowed breathing, extreme weakness, cold or clammy skin, small pupils, fainting, and coma.

What should I avoid while taking buprenorphine?

Taking buprenorphine together with other drugs that cause drowsiness can slow the functions of your breathing and central nervous system to dangerous levels. These effects could result in a fatal overdose.

Buprenorphine side effects

Like other narcotic medicines, buprenorphine can slow your breathing. Death may occur if breathing becomes too weak.

• slow or shallow breathing;

• feeling light-headed, fainting;

• confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior; or

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• headache;

• stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation;

• warmth or tingly feeling;

• increased sweating;

• weakness;

• back pain;

• anxiety, depression;

• sleep problems (insomnia); or

• runny nose.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect buprenorphine?

Before using buprenorphine, tell your doctor if you use any of the following drugs:

• an antifungal antibiotic such as fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), or voriconazole (Vfend);

• an antibacterial antibiotic such as azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or telithromycin (Ketek);

• HIV medication such as nevirapine (Viramune), delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva), indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase), or nelfinavir (Viracept);

• rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);

• a sedative such as diazepam (Valium), midazolam (Versed), alprazolam (Xanax) lorazepam (Ativan), clorazepate (Tranxene), triazolam (Halcion), flurazepam (Dalmane), or temazepam (Restoril); or

• seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), and others.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use buprenorphine, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect buprenorphine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has information about buprenorphine written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Buprenorphine is available with a prescription under the brand names Subutex and Suboxone. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Subutex 2 mg-oval, white tablets

• Subutex 8 mg-oval, white tablets

• Suboxone 2 mg-hexagonal, orange tablets

• Suboxone 8 mg-hexagonal, orange tablets

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.