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

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of buprenorphine in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of buprenorphine in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, heart or lung problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving buprenorphine in order to avoid potentially serious side effects.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

  • Bepridil
  • Cisapride
  • Dronedarone
  • Fluconazole
  • Ketoconazole
  • Levoketoconazole
  • Mesoridazine
  • Nalmefene
  • Naltrexone
  • Pimozide
  • Piperaquine
  • Posaconazole
  • Safinamide
  • Samidorphan
  • Saquinavir
  • Sparfloxacin
  • Terfenadine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Acecainide
  • Acepromazine
  • Aclidinium
  • Adagrasib
  • Alfentanil
  • Alfuzosin
  • Almotriptan
  • Alprazolam
  • Amantadine
  • Amiloride
  • Amineptine
  • Amiodarone
  • Amisulpride
  • Amitriptyline
  • Amitriptylinoxide
  • Amobarbital
  • Amoxapine
  • Amphetamine
  • Amprenavir
  • Anagrelide
  • Anileridine
  • Apalutamide
  • Apomorphine
  • Aprepitant
  • Aripiprazole
  • Aripiprazole Lauroxil
  • Armodafinil
  • Arsenic Trioxide
  • Asenapine
  • Astemizole
  • Atazanavir
  • Atropine
  • Azithromycin
  • Baclofen
  • Bedaquiline
  • Belladonna
  • Bemetizide
  • Bendroflumethiazide
  • Benperidol
  • Bentazepam
  • Benzhydrocodone
  • Benzphetamine
  • Benzthiazide
  • Benztropine
  • Biperiden
  • Boceprevir
  • Bosentan
  • Bromazepam
  • Bromopride
  • Brompheniramine
  • Bumetanide
  • Bupropion
  • Buserelin
  • Buspirone
  • Butabarbital
  • Butorphanol
  • Calcium Oxybate
  • Cannabidiol
  • Cannabis
  • Canrenoate
  • Canrenone
  • Carbamazepine
  • Carbinoxamine
  • Cariprazine
  • Carisoprodol
  • Carphenazine
  • Cenobamate
  • Ceritinib
  • Cetirizine
  • Chloral Hydrate
  • Chlordiazepoxide
  • Chloroquine
  • Chlorothiazide
  • Chlorpheniramine
  • Chlorpromazine
  • Chlorthalidone
  • Chlorzoxazone
  • Cimetidine
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Citalopram
  • Clarithromycin
  • Clemastine
  • Clidinium
  • Clobazam
  • Clofazimine
  • Clomipramine
  • Clonazepam
  • Clopamide
  • Clopidogrel
  • Clorazepate
  • Clothiapine
  • Cloxazolam
  • Clozapine
  • Cobicistat
  • Cocaine
  • Codeine
  • Conivaptan
  • Crizotinib
  • Cyclobenzaprine
  • Cyclopenthiazide
  • Cyclopentolate
  • Cyclosporine
  • Cyclothiazide
  • Cyproheptadine
  • Dabrafenib
  • Dantrolene
  • Daridorexant
  • Darifenacin
  • Darunavir
  • Dasatinib
  • Degarelix
  • Delamanid
  • Delavirdine
  • Delorazepam
  • Desipramine
  • Deslorelin
  • Desmopressin
  • Desvenlafaxine
  • Deutetrabenazine
  • Dexamethasone
  • Dexmedetomidine
  • Dextroamphetamine
  • Dextromethorphan
  • Dezocine
  • Diacetylmorphine
  • Diazepam
  • Diazoxide
  • Dibenzepin
  • Dichloralphenazone
  • Dicyclomine
  • Difenoxin
  • Diltiazem
  • Dimenhydrinate
  • Diphenhydramine
  • Diphenoxylate
  • Dipyrone
  • Disopyramide
  • Dofetilide
  • Dolasetron
  • Domperidone
  • Donepezil
  • Doxepin
  • Doxylamine
  • Droperidol
  • Duloxetine
  • Duvelisib
  • Ebastine
  • Efavirenz
  • Elagolix
  • Eletriptan
  • Encorafenib
  • Enflurane
  • Entrectinib
  • Enzalutamide
  • Eplerenone
  • Eribulin
  • Erythromycin
  • Escitalopram
  • Esketamine
  • Eslicarbazepine Acetate
  • Estazolam
  • Eszopiclone
  • Ethacrynic Acid
  • Ethchlorvynol
  • Ethopropazine
  • Ethylmorphine
  • Etozolin
  • Etrasimod
  • Etravirine
  • Famotidine
  • Felbamate
  • Fenfluramine
  • Fentanyl
  • Fesoterodine
  • Fexinidazole
  • Fingolimod
  • Flavoxate
  • Flecainide
  • Flibanserin
  • Flunitrazepam
  • Fluoxetine
  • Fluphenazine
  • Flurazepam
  • Fluspirilene
  • Fluvoxamine
  • Formoterol
  • Fosamprenavir
  • Fosaprepitant
  • Foscarnet
  • Fosnetupitant
  • Fosphenytoin
  • Fospropofol
  • Fostemsavir
  • Frovatriptan
  • Furosemide
  • Gabapentin
  • Gabapentin Enacarbil
  • Galantamine
  • Gatifloxacin
  • Gemifloxacin
  • Gepirone
  • Glasdegib
  • Glycopyrrolate
  • Glycopyrronium Tosylate
  • Gonadorelin
  • Goserelin
  • Granisetron
  • Halazepam
  • Halofantrine
  • Haloperidol
  • Halothane
  • Hexobarbital
  • Histrelin
  • Homatropine
  • Hydrochlorothiazide
  • Hydrocodone
  • Hydroflumethiazide
  • Hydromorphone
  • Hydroquinidine
  • Hydroxyamphetamine
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Hydroxytryptophan
  • Hydroxyzine
  • Hyoscyamine
  • Ibutilide
  • Idelalisib
  • Iloperidone
  • Imatinib
  • Imipramine
  • Indapamide
  • Indinavir
  • Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
  • Ipratropium
  • Isocarboxazid
  • Isoflurane
  • Itraconazole
  • Ivabradine
  • Ivacaftor
  • Ivosidenib
  • Josamycin
  • Ketamine
  • Ketazolam
  • Ketobemidone
  • Lacosamide
  • Lapatinib
  • Larotrectinib
  • Lasmiditan
  • Lefamulin
  • Lemborexant
  • Lenacapavir
  • Lenvatinib
  • Lesinurad
  • Letermovir
  • Leuprolide
  • Levocetirizine
  • Levofloxacin
  • Levomilnacipran
  • Levorphanol
  • Linezolid
  • Lisdexamfetamine
  • Lithium
  • Lofepramine
  • Lofexidine
  • Lomitapide
  • Lonafarnib
  • Lopinavir
  • Loprazolam
  • Lorazepam
  • Lorcaserin
  • Lorlatinib
  • Lormetazepam
  • Loxapine
  • Lumacaftor
  • Lumefantrine
  • Lurasidone
  • Macimorelin
  • Magnesium Oxybate
  • Meclizine
  • Medazepam
  • Mefloquine
  • Melitracen
  • Melperone
  • Mepenzolate
  • Meperidine
  • Mephobarbital
  • Meprobamate
  • Meptazinol
  • Metaclazepam
  • Metaxalone
  • Methadone
  • Methamphetamine
  • Methdilazine
  • Methocarbamol
  • Methohexital
  • Methotrimeprazine
  • Methyclothiazide
  • Methylene Blue
  • Metoclopramide
  • Metolazone
  • Metronidazole
  • Mibefradil
  • Midazolam
  • Mifepristone
  • Milnacipran
  • Mirtazapine
  • Mitotane
  • Mizolastine
  • Mobocertinib
  • Modafinil
  • Molindone
  • Moricizine
  • Morphine
  • Moxifloxacin
  • Nafarelin
  • Nafcillin
  • Nalbuphine
  • Naratriptan
  • Nefazodone
  • Nelfinavir
  • Netupitant
  • Nevirapine
  • Nicomorphine
  • Nilotinib
  • Nitrazepam
  • Nitrous Oxide
  • Nordazepam
  • Norfloxacin
  • Nortriptyline
  • Octreotide
  • Ofloxacin
  • Olanzapine
  • Ondansetron
  • Opipramol
  • Opium
  • Opium Alkaloids
  • Orphenadrine
  • Osilodrostat
  • Osimertinib
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Oxazepam
  • Oxcarbazepine
  • Oxitropium Bromide
  • Oxybutynin
  • Oxycodone
  • Oxymorphone
  • Ozanimod
  • Pacritinib
  • Palbociclib
  • Paliperidone
  • Palonosetron
  • Panobinostat
  • Papaveretum
  • Papaverine
  • Paregoric
  • Paroxetine
  • Pasireotide
  • Pazopanib
  • Pentamidine
  • Pentazocine
  • Pentobarbital
  • Perampanel
  • Perazine
  • Periciazine
  • Perphenazine
  • Phenelzine
  • Phenobarbital
  • Phenytoin
  • Pimavanserin
  • Pinazepam
  • Pipamperone
  • Pipenzolate Bromide
  • Piperacetazine
  • Pipotiazine
  • Pirenzepine
  • Piretanide
  • Piritramide
  • Pitolisant
  • Polythiazide
  • Ponesimod
  • Potassium Oxybate
  • Prazepam
  • Prednisone
  • Pregabalin
  • Primidone
  • Probucol
  • Procainamide
  • Procarbazine
  • Prochlorperazine
  • Procyclidine
  • Promazine
  • Promethazine
  • Propafenone
  • Propantheline
  • Propiverine
  • Propofol
  • Protriptyline
  • Quazepam
  • Quetiapine
  • Quinethazone
  • Quinidine
  • Quinine
  • Quizartinib
  • Ramelteon
  • Ranitidine
  • Ranolazine
  • Rasagiline
  • Relugolix
  • Remifentanil
  • Remimazolam
  • Remoxipride
  • Ribociclib
  • Rifabutin
  • Rifampin
  • Rifapentine
  • Risperidone
  • Ritonavir
  • Rizatriptan
  • Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b-njft
  • Schisandra sphenanthera
  • Scopolamine
  • Secobarbital
  • Selegiline
  • Selpercatinib
  • Sertindole
  • Sertraline
  • Sevoflurane
  • Sibutramine
  • Siponimod
  • Sodium Oxybate
  • Sodium Phosphate
  • Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
  • Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
  • Solifenacin
  • Sorafenib
  • Sotalol
  • Spironolactone
  • St John's Wort
  • Stramonium
  • Sufentanil
  • Sulpiride
  • Sultopride
  • Sumatriptan
  • Sunitinib
  • Suvorexant
  • Tacrolimus
  • Tamoxifen
  • Tapentadol
  • Telaprevir
  • Telavancin
  • Telithromycin
  • Telotristat Ethyl
  • Temazepam
  • Terodiline
  • Tetrabenazine
  • Tetrazepam
  • Thiethylperazine
  • Thiopental
  • Thiopropazate
  • Thioridazine
  • Thiothixene
  • Tianeptine
  • Tilidine
  • Tiotropium
  • Tizanidine
  • Tolonium Chloride
  • Tolterodine
  • Topiramate
  • Toremifene
  • Torsemide
  • Tramadol
  • Tranylcypromine
  • Trazodone
  • Treosulfan
  • Triamterene
  • Triazolam
  • Trichlormethiazide
  • Triclabendazole
  • Trifluoperazine
  • Trifluperidol
  • Triflupromazine
  • Trihexyphenidyl
  • Trimeprazine
  • Trimipramine
  • Triptorelin
  • Troleandomycin
  • Tropicamide
  • Trospium
  • Tryptophan
  • Tucatinib
  • Umeclidinium
  • Vandetanib
  • Vardenafil
  • Vemurafenib
  • Venlafaxine
  • Verapamil
  • Vilanterol
  • Vilazodone
  • Vinflunine
  • Voclosporin
  • Voriconazole
  • Vorinostat
  • Vortioxetine
  • Voxelotor
  • Xipamide
  • Zaleplon
  • Ziprasidone
  • Zolmitriptan
  • Zolpidem
  • Zopiclone
  • Zotepine
  • Zuclopenthixol
  • Zuranolone

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

  • Ethanol

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Addison disease (adrenal gland problem) or
  • Alcohol abuse, or history of or
  • Brain problems (eg, tumor, increased intracranial pressure), history of or
  • Breathing problems, severe (eg, hypercapnia, hypoxia, sleep apnea) or
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or
  • Cor pulmonale (serious heart condition) or
  • Drug dependence, especially with narcotics, or history of or
  • Enlarged prostate (eg, BPH, prostatic hypertrophy) or
  • Gallbladder disease or gallstones or
  • Head injury, history of or
  • Heart disease (eg, angina, congestive heart failure) or
  • Heart rhythm problems (eg, atrial fibrillation, slow heartbeat, long QT syndrome) or
  • Hepatitis B or C, history of or
  • Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) or
  • Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood), severe or
  • Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) or
  • Hypovolemia (low blood volume) or
  • Kyphoscoliosis (curvature of the spine with breathing problems) or
  • Problems with passing urine—Use with caution. May increase risk for more serious side effects.
  • Asthma, acute or severe or
  • Respiratory depression (very slow breathing) or
  • Stomach or bowel blockage (including paralytic ileus)—Belbuca® should not be used in patients with these conditions.
  • Constipation or
  • Hypotension (low blood pressure) or
  • Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), history of or
  • Seizures, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
  • Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.
  • Mucositis (mouth sores or ulcers)—Use with caution. The effects of the Belbuca® film may be increased because of more drug being absorbed.

Proper Use

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. This is especially important for elderly patients, who may be more sensitive to the effects of pain medicines. If too much of this medicine is taken for a long time, it may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence).

It is very important that you understand the rules of the Opioid Analgesic REMS program to prevent addiction, abuse, and misuse of oxycodone. This medicine should also come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Read it again each time you refill your prescription in case there is new information. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

To use the buccal film:

  • Do not place the medicine on areas of the mouth with sores or lesions.
  • Use your tongue to wet the inside of your cheek or rinse your mouth with water before placing the film in your mouth.
  • Place the yellow side of the film against the inside of your cheek.
  • Press against the film and hold it there with clean, dry fingers for 5 seconds.
  • Leave the film in place until it dissolves and do not touch or move it. Do not chew or swallow the film.
  • Do not eat or drink anything until the film is completely dissolved, which is usually within 30 minutes.
  • Rinse your mouth with water and swallow. Wait for at least one hour before brushing your teeth.

Do not crush or swallow the sublingual tablet. Place the tablet under the tongue until it is dissolved. If you take 2 or more tablets at a time, place all of the tablets under the tongue together. If this is uncomfortable, place 2 tablets at a time under the tongue and repeat the process until all tablets have been taken. Do not chew or swallow the sublingual tablet.

Use only the brand of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. Different brands may not work the same way.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For buccal dosage form (film):
    • For severe pain:
      • Adults—At first, 75 micrograms (mcg) as a single dose once a day or every 12 hours for at least 4 days. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 900 mcg every 12 hours.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For sublingual dosage form (tablets):
    • For maintenance treatment of opioid dependence:
      • Adults—4 to 24 milligrams (mg) as a single dose once a day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Drop off any unused tablets or buccal films at a drug take-back location right away. If you do not have a drug take-back location near you, flush any unused narcotic medicine down the toilet. Check your local drug store and clinics for take-back locations. You can also check the DEA web site for locations. Here is the link to the FDA safe disposal of medicines website: www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicinesafely/ensuringsafeuseofmedicine/safedisposalofmedicines/ucm186187.htm

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress while you are using this medicine, especially within the first 24 to 72 hours of treatment. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

It is against the law and dangerous for anyone else to use your medicine. Keep your unused tablets and buccal films in a safe and secure place. People who are addicted to drugs might want to steal this medicine.

Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, isocarboxazid [Marplan®], linezolid [Zyvox®], phenelzine [Nardil®], selegiline [Eldepryl®], tranylcypromine [Parnate®]) within the past 14 days.

Using too much buprenorphine may cause an overdose. Symptoms of overdose include: change in consciousness, chest pain, cold and clammy skin, increased sweating coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum, difficult or trouble breathing, increased sweating, irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing, loss of consciousness, pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin, sleepiness or unusual drowsiness, or swelling in legs and ankles. Your doctor may give you naloxone to treat an overdose.

This medicine may cause sleep-related breathing problems (eg, sleep apnea, sleep-related hypoxemia). Your doctor may decrease your dose if you have sleep apnea (stop breathing for short periods during sleep) while using this medicine.

This medicine may cause serious tooth problems. Tell your doctor right away if you have cavities, tooth decay, tooth pain, tooth infection, tooth erosion, tooth fracture, or tooth loss.

Before having any kind of surgery (including dental surgery) or emergency treatment, tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are using this medicine. Serious unwanted effects can occur if certain medicines are given together with buprenorphine.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, allergies, or colds, sedatives, benzodiazepines, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine, other prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics (numbing medicines), including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor or dentist before taking any of the medicines listed above while you are using this medicine.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help. Also, lying down for a while may relieve the dizziness or lightheadedness.

This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.

Call your doctor right away if you have worsening of pain, increased sensitivity to pain, or new pain after taking this medicine. These may be symptoms of opioid-induced hyperalgesia and allodynia.

Check with your doctor right away if you have darkening of the skin, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, loss of appetite, mental depression, nausea, skin rash, unusual tiredness or weakness, or vomiting. These may be symptoms of adrenal gland problem.

Contact your doctor right away if you have any changes to your heart rhythm. You might feel dizzy or faint, or you might have a fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat. Make sure your doctor knows if you or anyone in your family has ever had a heart rhythm problem such as QT prolongation.

Belbuca® may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.

Using narcotics for a long time can cause severe constipation. To prevent this, your doctor may direct you to take laxatives, drink a lot of fluids, or increase the amount of fiber in your diet. Be sure to follow the directions carefully, because continuing constipation can lead to more serious problems.

If you have been using this medicine regularly for several weeks or longer, do not change your dose or suddenly stop using it without checking first with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely. This may help reduce the possibility of withdrawal symptoms, including stomach cramps, anxiety, fever, nausea, runny nose, sweating, tremors, or trouble with sleeping.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant may cause serious unwanted effects, including neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome in your newborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you think you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

For nursing mothers taking Belbuca®:

  • Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about taking oxycodone or about how this medicine may affect your baby.
  • Call your doctor if you become extremely tired and have difficulty caring for your baby.
  • Your baby should generally nurse every 2 to 3 hours and should not sleep for more than 4 hours at a time.
  • Check with your doctor or hospital emergency room immediately if your baby shows signs of increased sleepiness (more than usual), difficulty breastfeeding, difficulty breathing, or limpness. These may be symptoms of an overdose and need immediate medical attention.

Using too much of this medicine may cause reduced infertility (unable to have children). Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

Check with your doctor right away if you have anxiety, restlessness, a fast heartbeat, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, twitching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or see or hear things that are not there. These may be symptoms of a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Your risk may be higher if you also take certain other medicines that affect serotonin levels in your body.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects

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:

Less common

  1. Bladder pain
  2. bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
  3. bloody or cloudy urine
  4. blurred vision
  5. chest tightness
  6. cough producing mucus
  7. diarrhea
  8. difficult, burning, or painful urination
  9. difficulty breathing
  10. dizziness
  11. fever
  12. frequent urge to urinate
  13. headache
  14. loss of appetite
  15. lower back or side pain
  16. mouth or throat pain
  17. nausea
  18. nervousness
  19. pale skin
  20. pounding in the ears
  21. rapid weight gain
  22. slow or fast heartbeat
  23. stomach pain
  24. tingling of the hands or feet
  25. trouble breathing
  26. unusual bleeding or bruising
  27. unusual tiredness or weakness
  28. unusual weight gain or loss

Rare

  1. Breakdown or tearing of the skin
  2. chills
  3. irregular heartbeat, recurrent
  4. irritation, itching, pain, redness, swelling, tenderness, or warmth on the skin
  5. unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness

Incidence not known

  1. Agitation
  2. burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
  3. blurred vision
  4. confusion
  5. cough
  6. darkening of the skin
  7. difficulty swallowing
  8. dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  9. drowsiness
  10. headache, severe and throbbing
  11. hives, skin rash
  12. increased sensitivity to pain
  13. irregular, fast, slow, or shallow breathing
  14. mental depression
  15. overactive reflexes
  16. pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
  17. pinpoint pupils
  18. poor coordination
  19. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  20. relaxed and calm feeling
  21. restlessness
  22. shivering
  23. sleepiness
  24. talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
  25. toothache
  26. trembling or shaking
  27. twitching
  28. vomiting
  29. worsening of pain

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

Symptoms of overdose

  1. Change in consciousness
  2. chest pain
  3. cold and clammy skin
  4. increased sweating
  5. coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
  6. difficult or trouble breathing
  7. increased sweating
  8. irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
  9. loss of consciousness
  10. pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
  11. sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
  12. swelling in legs and ankles

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. Back pain
  2. chills
  3. cough
  4. difficulty having a bowel movement
  5. hoarseness
  6. painful or difficult urination
  7. runny nose
  8. sneezing
  9. stuffy nose
  10. trouble sleeping

Less common

  1. Anxiety
  2. back pain
  3. bruise
  4. decreased appetite
  5. fall
  6. feeling of warmth or heat
  7. flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
  8. itching, skin rash
  9. muscle aches or spams
  10. pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones
  11. sore throat

Rare

  1. Lack or loss of strength
  2. muscle or bone pain
  3. neck pain
  4. stomach discomfort

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.