Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

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 medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

If you are using the buccal film:

  • Use your tongue to wet the side of your cheek or rinse your mouth with water in the area where you will place the film.
  • Do not cut or tear the film. Hold the film on a clean, dry finger. If you are using Bunavail®, hold with the text (BN2, BN4, or BN6) facing up.
  • Place the side of the film against the inside of your cheek. If you are using Bunavail®, place with the text (BN2, BN4, or BN6) against the inside of your cheek.
  • Press the film and hold it there for 5 seconds.
  • Leave the film in place until it dissolves. Do not touch, move, chew, or swallow it.
  • If you must use more than one film, place the second film on the other side of your mouth. Do not place more than 2 buccal films to the inside of one cheek at a time.
  • Do not eat or drink anything until the film is completely dissolved.
  • After the film has completely dissolved, take a sip of water, swish gently around your teeth and gums, and swallow. Wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth.

If you are using the sublingual tablet:

  • Do not cut, crush, chew, or swallow it.
  • 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 in different places under the tongue at the same time.
  • If this is uncomfortable, place 2 tablets at a time under the tongue and repeat the process until all the tablets have been taken.
  • Do not eat or drink anything until the tablets are completely dissolved.
  • Rinse your mouth with water and swallow. Wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth.

If you are using the sublingual film:

  • Drink water before taking this medicine to help moisten your mouth.
  • Place the film under the tongue until it is dissolved.
  • If you need to take an additional film, place the new film on the opposite side from the first film.
  • Do not eat or drink anything until the film is completely dissolved.
  • Do not cut, chew, swallow, or move the film after placing it under the tongue.
  • After the film has completely dissolved, take a sip of water, swish gently around your teeth and gums, and swallow. Wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth.

Check with your doctor first before changing dosage forms (eg, films, tablets) or dosage strengths. These forms are very different from each other.

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 induction treatment of opioid dependence:
      • Adults—On Day 1, your doctor may give you an induction dosage up to 4.2 milligrams (mg) of buprenorphine and 0.7 mg of naloxone in divided doses. On Day 2, your doctor may give you up to 8.4 mg of buprenorphine and 1.4 mg of naloxone taken as a single dose. If you have been taking methadone, heroin, short-acting, or long-acting opioid medicines, your doctor may recommend you to take buprenorphine alone.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For maintenance treatment of opioid dependence:
      • Adults—8.4 milligrams (mg) of buprenorphine and 1.4 mg of naloxone taken as a single dose once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For buccal or sublingual dosage form (film):
    • For induction treatment of opioid dependence:
      • Adults—On Day 1, your doctor may give you an induction dosage up to 8 milligrams (mg) of buprenorphine and 2 mg of naloxone in divided doses. On Day 2, your doctor may give you up to 16 mg of buprenorphine and 4 mg of naloxone taken as a single dose. If you have been taking methadone, heroin, short-acting, or long-acting opioid medicines, your doctor may recommend you to take buprenorphine alone.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For maintenance treatment of opioid dependence:
      • Adults—16 milligrams (mg) of buprenorphine and 4 mg of naloxone taken as a single dose once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For sublingual dosage form (tablets):
    • For induction treatment of opioid dependence:
      • Adults—On Day 1, your doctor may give you an induction dosage up to 5.7 milligrams (mg) of buprenorphine and 1.4 mg of naloxone in divided doses. On Day 2, your doctor may give you up to 11.4 mg of buprenorphine and 2.9 mg of naloxone taken as a single dose. If you have been taking methadone, heroin, short-acting or long-acting opioid medicines, your doctor may recommend you take buprenorphine alone.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For maintenance treatment of opioid dependence:
      • Suboxone®:
        • Adults—16 milligrams (mg) of buprenorphine and 4 mg of naloxone taken as a single dose once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
        • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
      • Zubsolv®:
        • Adults—11.4 milligrams (mg) of buprenorphine and 2.9 mg of naloxone taken as a single dose once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
        • 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 narcotic medicine 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

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

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