What is buprenorphine injection?
Buprenorphine is an opioid pain medication. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic.
Buprenorphine is used to treat moderate to severe pain.
Buprenorphine may also be used for purposes not 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. Using buprenorphine improperly will increase your risk of serious side effects or death. Follow all dosing instructions carefully. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.
Do not use buprenorphine with other narcotic pain medications or sedatives, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or other medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing. Dangerous side effects may result.
Do not drink alcohol. Buprenorphine can increase the effects of alcohol, which could be dangerous.
Buprenorphine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using buprenorphine?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to buprenorphine.
To make sure you can safely use buprenorphine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;
liver or kidney disease;
a thyroid disorder;
enlarged prostate, urination problems;
gallbladder disease;
curvature of the spine;
Addison's disease (adrenal gland disorder);
a history of mental illness, personality disorder, or psychotic episode;
a history of drug or alcohol addiction; or
a history of seizures, head injury, or brain tumor.
Buprenorphine may be habit forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Never share buprenorphine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether buprenorphine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using buprenorphine.
Buprenorphine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not breast-feed while you are using buprenorphine.