Buprenorphine

What Is Buprenorphine?

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist drug that has been shown to be effective in treating pain, providing comfort during medically supervised withdrawal, and as a maintenance treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD).

Buprenorphine binds strongly to mu opioid receptors in the brain, but only partially activates them, making it an efficient medication for opioid detox and long-term treatment. It has a much lower overdose risk than full opioid agonists (such as heroin), decreases opioid withdrawals, and reduces cravings and urges for opioids.

It is one of the very few FDA medications to treat OUD and is a key component of medication assisted treatment (MAT). Addiction professionals use a combination of medications and evidence based psychotherapy approaches to treat addiction. In recent years, the term MAT has been replaced with MOUD, which stands for Medications for Opioid Use Disorder. MOUD is considered a more accurate and precise terminology that specifically refers to FDA-approved medications to treat opioid addiction.

Buprenorphine has a low potential for physical dependence but a high potential for psychological dependence; it is, therefore, categorized as a Schedule III drug. Due to its tendency toward psychological dependence, many companies combine the drug naloxone with it to decrease the likelihood of the drug’s misuse.

What Does Buprenorphine Look Like?

Buprenorphine comes in different forms and has a variety of routes of administration, including sublingual film, transdermal patch, oral pill, and injection forms.

Sublingual buprenorphine is the most commonly used form in the treatment of opioid dependence.

Otherwise known by its brand name, Suboxone®, the sublingual film usually looks like a thin orange square that disintegrates when placed under the tongue. This form ensures rapid absorption by the body, but it can also have a slower onset of action, making the drug’s effects last longer.

Pharmaceutical Names For Buprenorphine

Although buprenorphine is the generic name for the drug, you may recognize it by its different brand names, which can come in different dosages and forms, including:

How Does It Work?

Is Buprenorphine Effective?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that when taken as directed, buprenorphine can be highly effective and may enable a large number of patients to reach a substantial reduction, or full abstinence, of opioid use. It has also been shown to have a positive outcome for both withdrawal discomfort, as well as the completion of the withdrawal.

Before using buprenorphine, patients have to be, at a minimum, at the mild withdrawal stage from opioids; at this stage, it can effectively relieve withdrawal symptoms. Furthermore, the use of buprenorphine in treating opioid dependence is relatively easy to start from both a provider’s and a patient’s perspective.

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Effects Of Buprenorphine Use

Buprenorphine may have some side effects and adverse effects while being used and while tapering off of it.

Side Effects

Although uncommon, the following side effects may present:

Adverse Effects

Some adverse effects that may be experienced include:

If you experience any of these symptoms while taking buprenorphine, be sure to contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Dose-Related Effects

Buprenorphine has a ceiling effect, which can be life saving. If a person tries to misuse buprenorphine by taking very high doses, they will not feel the “euphoric” high they are expecting from a higher dose.  Its opioid effects, particularly respiratory depression and euphoria, will increase with each dose until it reaches moderate doses, where it will plateau, even with further dose increases. This “ceiling effect” lowers the risk of misuse and overdose.

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Can You Overdose On Buprenorphine?

While uncommon, you may face an elevated risk of overdose if you revert to using illicit opioids during the treatment or tapering process of buprenorphine. It is, therefore, suggested to providers to prescribe naloxone in addition to monitoring for signs and symptoms of withdrawal throughout the tapering process of buprenorphine. If withdrawal symptoms are noted, the provider should consider slowing the taper schedule.

Overdose symptoms may include:

• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Pinpoint pupils
• Hallucinations
• Hypotension
• Respiratory depression
• Seizures
• Coma

If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms while taking buprenorphine, seek emergency care immediately.

Buprenorphine Withdrawal

It is difficult to differentiate typical withdrawal symptoms of other opioids from that of buprenorphine. Therefore, buprenorphine withdrawal can look similar and may happen at any point of treatment. Withdrawal symptoms to look out for may include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Flu-like symptoms
• Sweating

Reach Out Today

Buprenorphine is one of a few different treatment medications for OUD, often used in conjunction with a more comprehensive addiction treatment program. If you or a loved one is suffering from an addiction to opioids, consider reaching out to a treatment provider or visiting our rehab directory to learn more about your treatment options.