Buprenorphine

 

What is buprenorphine? 

Buprenorphine (pronounced bew-pre-nor-feen) is a prescription drug.

It is taken as a replacement for heroin in the treatment of heroin dependence. Replacing a prescribed drug to treat a drug of dependence in this way is known as pharmacotherapy.  As well as improving wellbeing by preventing physical withdrawal, pharmacotherapy helps to stabilise the lives of people who are dependent on heroin and other opioids, and to reduce the harms related to drug use.

 

Buprenorphine pharmacotherapy can be used to:

Help people to withdraw from heroin and methadone

Reduce the need to use heroin – this is known as ‘buprenorphine maintenance’

Treat severe pain1

 

Other names 

Pharmaceutical name - Subutex®

 

Slang names

Bup, B

 

How is it used?

Subutex® comes in tablet form. It is taken sublingually (placed under the tongue to dissolve). The tablet will not work properly if it is chewed or swallowed.

 

How effective is it? 

Buprenorphine treatment is more likely to be successful if it is part of a comprehensive treatment program, which addresses the body, mind and environment in which heroin has been used.

For example, treatment may include a combination of buprenorphine, counselling, alternative therapies and the development of a positive support network of peers, friends and a support group.

 

Buprenorphine maintenance

Buprenorphine maintenance may not work for everyone, so it is important to work with a doctor or drug counsellor to find the best approach.

 

Advantages of buprenorphine maintenance over heroin use

Using buprenorphine on its own is unlikely to result in an overdose.

Buprenorphine maintenance keeps the person stable while they make positive changes in their lives.

Health problems are reduced or avoided, especially those related to injecting, such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses, skin infections and vein problems.

Doses are required only once a day, sometimes even less often, because buprenorphine’s effects are long lasting.

Buprenorphine is much cheaper than heroin.

 

Effects of buprenorphine

There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries some risk. Even medications can produce unwanted side effects. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.

Buprenorphine affects everyone differently, based on:

Size, weight and health

Whether the person is used to taking it

Whether other drugs are taken around the same time

The amount taken

 

Side effects

• The most common side effects of buprenorphine are:

• Constipation

• Headache

• Increased sweating

• Tiredness or drowsiness (especially after a dose)

• Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting

• Abdominal pain

• Skin rashes, itching or hives

• Tooth decay

• Changes to periods (menstruation)

• Lowered sex drive (males and females)

• Weight gain (particularly for females).

 

Withdrawal

Withdrawal from long-term use of buprenorphine may produce some symptoms similar to those experienced through heroin withdrawal. However, symptoms tend to be milder than for heroin or other opioids such as methadone withdrawal.1 Withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person, but may include:

• Cold or flu-like symptoms

• Headache

• Sweating

• Aches and pains

• Difficulty sleeping

• Nausea

• Mood swings

• Loss of appetite

 

These effects usually peak in the first 2 to 5 days. Some mild effects may last a number of weeks.

 

Information from www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-info