buprenorphine (injection - Buprenex)

What is the most important information I should know about Buprenex?

What is buprenorphine?

This medication guide provides information about the Buprenex brand of buprenorphine injection. Sublocade is another brand of buprenorphine injection used to treat opioid addiction.

Buprenex is an opioid medicine used to treat moderate to severe pain.

Buprenex may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Buprenex?

• severe asthma or breathing problems; or
• a blockage in your stomach or intestines.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• breathing problems, sleep apnea;
• a head injury, brain tumor, or seizures;
• alcoholism, drug addiction, mental illness;
• urination problems;
• liver or kidney disease;
• a heart rhythm disorder (especially if you take medication to treat it);
• long QT syndrome (in you or a family member);
• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood);
• abnormal curvature of the spine that affects breathing;
• Addison's disease (adrenal gland disorder); or
• problems with your gallbladder, pancreas, or thyroid.

How should I use Buprenex?

Buprenex is injected into a muscle or given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection. Buprenex is usually given by injection only if you are unable to take the medicine by mouth or use another form of buprenorphine.

Buprenex is usually given at evenly spaced intervals, up to 6 hours apart. Tell your doctor if Buprenex does not relieve your pain within 1 hour after an injection.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Because you will receive Buprenex in a clinical setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while using Buprenex?

What are the possible side effects of Buprenex?

Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should give naloxone and/or seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

• noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing, breathing that stops during sleep;
• slow heartbeat or weak pulse;
• blue lips or fingernails;
• severe constipation;
• confusion, feelings of extreme happiness;
• little or no urination; or
• low cortisol levels -- nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness.

Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults and those who are overweight, malnourished, or debilitated.

Long-term use of opioid medication may affect fertility (ability to have children) in men or women. It is not known whether opioid effects on fertility are permanent.

Common side effects may include:

• drowsiness;
• constipation;
• dizziness, spinning sensation;
• nausea, vomiting;
• increased sweating;
• headache; or
• blurred vision, double vision.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Buprenex?

You may have breathing problems or withdrawal symptoms if you start or stop taking certain other medicines. Tell your doctor if you also use an antibiotic, antifungal medication, heart or blood pressure medication, seizure medication, or medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C.

• cold or allergy medicines, bronchodilator asthma/COPD medication, or a diuretic ("water pill");
• medicines for motion sickness, irritable bowel syndrome, or overactive bladder;
• other narcotic medications --opioid pain medicine or prescription cough medicine;
• a sedative like Valium --diazepam, alprazolam, lorazepam, Xanax, Klonopin, Versed, and others;
• drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing --a sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, medicine to treat mood disorders or mental illness;
• drugs that affect serotonin levels in your body --a stimulant, or medicine for depression, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or nausea and vomiting.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Buprenex, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about buprenorphine injection (Buprenex).