What is Buprenorphine?

With over a million people addicted to opiates in the United States, traditional methadone clinics have become difficult to get into due to long waiting lists. The Drug Addiction Act of 2000 made it possible for doctors to administer buprenorphine as an alternative treatment for opiate addictions, provided the brands used were approved by the Food & Drug Administration.

Identification

As of October, 2002, buprenorphine was classified as a Schedue III narcotic analgesic. Known under the brand names of Suboxone and Subutex, it's most commonly used to treat opiate addiction disorders. Suboxone is made with four parts buprenorphine and one part naloxone, while Subutex is made with buprenorphine alone.

Function

Buprenorphine works by eliminating cravings, and blocking the effects of opiates. It's administered in tablet form for placement under the tongue in 2 to 8 milligram doses. The drug works as an opiate, and as an opiate blocker. Patients taking this drug must be under a doctor's supervision and attending regular counseling sessions. It also has an analgesic, or pain-blocking effect, as well.

The types of opiates treatable by buprenorphine include heroine, codeine, morphine, opium, nalorphine (Nalline), oxycodone (Percodan) and meperidine (Demerol).

Features

As an analgesic, buprenorphine is listed under the brand name, Buprenex. Physician who administer buprenorphine must be certified by the Department of Health & Human Services, and can only treat up to 30 patients at a time with the drug.

The Subutex and Suboxone brands both help to treat opiate addiction in the prevention of withdrawal symptoms caused by opiates. It blocks these symptom through its analgesic effects on the body's system.

Effects

The added ingredient -naloxone- in the Suboxone brand works to block the "high" caused by buprenorphine. It's used for patients who aren't under a doctor's supervision for buprenorphine treatment. Its effects remain in the system from 24 to 72 hours.

Because of it's analgesic effects, the drug (Buprenex) should not be mixed with other central nervous system depressants to avoid respiratory arrest, and possibly death. Individuals with any form of respiratory impairment should provide their doctor with a complete medical history, if available.

Warning

Buprenorphine is processed by the liver, and can cause significant damage if not properly monitored. Individuals with impaired liver function should not undergo treatment with this drug.

Other side effects caused by buprenorphine include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, dry mouth and constipation.

Possible withdrawal symptoms can occur if an addict has used within 24 hours prior to receiving treatment. Individuals should wait 24 to 36 hours after their last use before being treated.

Resources

• Buprenorphine Physician & Treatment Program Locator
• The National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment