Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Belbuca
  2. Subutex

Descriptions


Buprenorphine buccal film is used to relieve pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and when other pain medicines did not work well enough or cannot be tolerated. This medicine is not used for minor pain or pain that only sometimes occurs. It should not be used to treat pain that you only have once in a while or "as needed". Buprenorphine acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain.

Buprenorphine sublingual tablet is used to treat opioid (narcotic) dependence or addiction. When a narcotic medicine is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects if the narcotic is stopped suddenly. Severe withdrawal side effects can usually be prevented when a person is switched to buprenorphine. It acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to help prevent withdrawal side effects.

When buprenorphine buccal film is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. However, people who have continuing pain should not let the fear of dependence keep them from using narcotics to relieve their pain. Mental dependence (addiction) is not likely to occur when narcotics are used for this purpose. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects if treatment is stopped suddenly. However, severe withdrawal side effects can usually be prevented by gradually reducing the dose over a period of time before treatment is stopped completely.

Subutex® is available only with your doctor's prescription. Belbuca® is available only under a restricted distribution program called the Opioid Analgesic REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) program.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Film
  • Tablet

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Portions of this document last updated: Sept. 01, 2023