Subutex (Buprenorphine)

What is the most important information I should know about buprenorphine? (60 pills per package)

Buprenorphine can slow or stop your breathing. Never use this medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Buprenorphine may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

MISUSE OF NARCOTIC MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Buprenorphine may cause life-threatening addiction and withdrawal symptoms in a newborn.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking buprenorphine?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to buprenorphine, or if you have used another narcotic drug within the past 4 hours.

To make sure buprenorphine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• any type of breathing problem or lung disease;
• curvature of the spine that affects breathing;
• liver disease (especially hepatitis B or C);
• enlarged prostate, urination problems;
• problems with your gallbladder, adrenal gland, or thyroid;
• a history of head injury, brain tumor, or seizures;
• a history of drug abuse, alcohol addiction, or mental illness.

It is not known whether buprenorphine will harm an unborn baby. Buprenorphine may cause breathing problems, behavior changes, or life-threatening addiction and withdrawal symptoms in your newborn if you use the medication during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

Buprenorphine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using buprenorphine.

Do not give this medication to a child.

How should I take buprenorphine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Buprenorphine can slow or stop your breathing. Never use buprenorphine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

Buprenorphine may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE OF NARCOTIC MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Selling or giving away buprenorphine is against the law.

The buprenorphine sublingual tablet should be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve. Do not chew the tablet or swallow it whole. If your doctor has prescribed more than 2 tablets per dose, place the correct number of tablets under your tongue at the same time and allow them to dissolve completely.

While using buprenorphine, you may need frequent blood tests to check your liver function.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using buprenophine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you take buprenophine. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you are being treated for narcotic addiction. Make sure your family members know you are using buprenophine in case they need to speak for you during an emergency.

Do not stop using buprenophine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using buprenophine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Buprenophine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

Do not keep leftover buprenophine pills. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, flush any unused pills down the toilet

Never crush or break a buprenophine pill to inhale the powder or mix it into a liquid to inject the drug into your vein. This practice has resulted in death with the misuse of buprenophine and similar prescription drugs.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A buprenophine overdose can be fatal, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription.

Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness or weakness, cold or clammy skin, pinpoint pupils, fainting, slow heart rate, weak pulse, weak or shallow slowed breathing (breathing may stop).

What should I avoid while taking buprenophine?

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with buprenophine. Check your food and medicine labels to be sure these products do not contain alcohol.

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how buprenophine will affect you. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls or other accidents.

Buprenophine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Like other narcotic medicines, buprenophine can slow your breathing. Death may occur if breathing becomes too weak.