Buprenorphine (Transdermal Route)

Side Effects

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

1. Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
2. rapid weight gain
3. swelling, burn, or blisters at the patch site
4. tingling of the hands or feet
5. unusual weight loss

Less common

1. Bladder pain
2. bloody or cloudy urine
3. blurred vision
4. body aches or pain
5. burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
6. chest pain or tightness
7. chills
8. cough producing mucus
9. diarrhea
10. difficult or labored breathing
11. difficult, burning, or painful urination
12. difficulty with moving
13. dizziness
14. ear congestion
15. fever
16. frequent urge to urinate
17. general feeling of discomfort or illness
18. headache
19. increased sweating
20. joint pain
21. loss of appetite
22. loss of voice
23. lower back or side pain
24. muscle aches and pains
25. muscle stiffness
26. nasal congestion
27. nausea
28. nervousness
29. pain
30. pain in the arms or legs
31. pounding in the ears
32. runny nose
33. shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
34. shivering
35. slow or fast heartbeat
36. sneezing
37. sore throat
38. sweating
39. trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
40. trouble sleeping
41. unusual tiredness or weakness
42. vomiting

Rare

1. Arm, back, or jaw pain
2. blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
3. blue lips, fingernails, or skin
4. chest heaviness
5. confusion
6. decreased urination
7. deep or fast breathing with dizziness
8. difficulty with swallowing
9. dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
10. dry mouth
11. extremely shallow or slow breathing
12. fainting
13. fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
14. feeling of warmth or heat
15. flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
16. increase in heart rate
17. irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
18. itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
19. large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
20. lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
21. loss of bladder control
22. loss of consciousness
23. numbness of the feet, hands, and around the mouth
24. rapid breathing
25. slow or irregular heartbeat
26. stomach pain or tenderness
27. sunken eyes
28. swelling or puffiness of the face
29. thirst
30. trouble with walking
31. wrinkled skin

Incidence not known

1. Agitation
2. darkening of the skin
3. skin rash
4. mental depression
5. overactive reflexes
6. poor coordination
7. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue
8. restlessness
9. talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
10. twitching

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

1. Blurred vision
2. confusion
3. difficult or trouble breathing
4. dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
5. irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
6. pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
7. pinpoint (small) pupils in the eyes
8. relaxed and calm
9. sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
10. sweating
11. unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

1. Constipation
2. itching, redness, or rash at the patch site

Less common

1. Acid or sour stomach
2. anxiety
3. back pain
4. belching
5. depression
6. headache, severe and throbbing
7. heartburn
8. indigestion
9. irritation at the patch site
10. itching skin or rash
11. lack or loss of strength
12. muscle spasms
13. neck pain
14. pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
15. stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
16. swelling of the joints
17. upper abdominal or stomach pain
18. weight loss

Rare

1. Being forgetful
2. blurred or loss of vision
3. change in taste
4. changes in patterns and rhythms of speech
5. clumsiness or unsteadiness
6. confusion about identity, place, and time
7. cramps
8. decreased interest in sexual intercourse
9. decreased weight
10. disturbed color perception
11. double vision
12. dry eyes or skin
13. excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
14. feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
15. feeling of unreality
16. full feeling
17. general feeling of discomfort or illness
18. halos around lights
19. heavy bleeding
20. inability to have or keep an erection
21. lack of feeling or emotion
22. loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
23. loss of taste
24. muscle weakness
25. night blindness
26. nightmares
27. overbright appearance of lights
28. passing gas
29. pressure in the stomach
30. relaxed and calm
31. restlessness
32. sensation of spinning
33. sense of detachment from self or body
34. sleepiness
35. slurred speech
36. swelling of the stomach area
37. trouble with speaking
38. tunnel vision
39. uncaring

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Precautions

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