Buprenorphine?

Buprenorphine is a form of medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) that can be prescribed or dispensed in physician offices. As with all medications used in treatment, buprenorphine is prescribed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes counseling and other services to provide patients with a whole-person approach.

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Buprenorphine offers several benefits to those with OUD and to others for whom treatment in an Opioid Treatment Clinic is not appropriate or is less convenient.

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How Does Buprenorphine Work?

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Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist. It produces effects weaker than full opioid agonists such as methadone and heroin. When taken as prescribed, buprenorphine is safe and effective.

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Buprenorphine has unique pharmacological properties that:

• Diminish the effects of physical dependency to opioids, such as withdrawal symptoms and cravings

• Increase safety in cases of overdose

• Lower the potential for misuse

 

Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder

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To begin treatment, an OUD patient must abstain from using opioids for at least 12 to 24 hours and be in the early stages of opioid withdrawal. Patents with opioids in their bloodstream or who are not in the early stages of withdrawal, may experience acute withdrawal.

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After a patient has discontinued or greatly reduced their opioid use, no longer has cravings, and is experiencing few, if any, side effects, if needed, the dose of buprenorphine may be adjusted. Due to the long-acting agent of buprenorphine, once patients are stabilized, it may be possible to switch from every day to alternate-day dosing.

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The length of time a patient receives buprenorphine is tailored to meet the needs of each patient, and in some cases, treatment can be indefinite. To prevent possible relapse, individuals can engage in on-going treatment—with or without MOUD.

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Common and Serious Side Effects of Buprenorphine

Patients who are considering buprenorphine for treatment should be sure they fully understand the medication and its side effects before they take the medication. Their health care practitioner or pharmacist can provide this information. Patients should tell their health care practitioner about any side effects that are bothersome or do not go away.

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This general education information is provided by SMHSA.