Buprenex

Generic Name: buprenorphine (injection) (byoo pre NOR feen)Brand Names: Buprenex

What is Buprenex (buprenorphine (injection))?

Buprenorphine is an opioid (narcotic) medication that is similar to morphine, codeine, and heroin..

Buprenorphine injection is used to treat moderate to severe pain.

Buprenorphine injection may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Buprenex (buprenorphine (injection))?

Like other narcotic medicines, buprenorphine injection can slow your breathing, even after the pain-relieving effects wear off. Death may occur if breathing becomes too weak.

Using buprenorphine injection together with other drugs that cause drowsiness can slow the functions of your breathing and central nervous system to dangerous levels. These effects could result in a fatal overdose.

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of buprenorphine injection. Using too much of this medicine in addition to drinking alcohol can cause death. You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop receiving buprenorphine after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using this medication suddenly unless your doctor instructs you to. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. Buprenorphine injection can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving Buprenex (buprenorphine (injection))?Buprenorphine injection can cause withdrawal effects in a person who is addicted to narcotics. Before receiving buprenorphine injection, tell your doctor if you have a history of drug abuse or addiction. Do not use this medication if you are allergic to buprenorphine or naloxone (Narcan), or if you have used another narcotic drug within the past 4 hours.

Before using buprenorphine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;

• liver or kidney disease;

• mental illness or a history of suicide attempt;

• a history of alcoholism or IV drug use; or

• a history of seizures, head injury, or brain tumor.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive buprenorphine injection, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. It could also cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother receives buprenorphine injection during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Buprenorphine passes into breast milk and may be harmful to a nursing baby. It may also decrease breast milk production. Do not receive buprenorphine injection if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How is buprenorphine injection given?

Buprenorphine injection is given through a needle placed into a muscle. You will most likely receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly and can take up to 2 minutes to inject.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop receiving buprenorphine after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using this medication suddenly unless your doctor instructs you to. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since buprenorphine injection is usually given by a healthcare provider, it is unlikely that you will miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of buprenorphine injection can be fatal.

Symptoms of a buprenorphine overdose may include slowed breathing, extreme weakness, cold or clammy skin, small pupils, fainting, and coma.

What should I avoid while receiving Buprenex (buprenorphine (injection))?

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by buprenorphine injection.

Using buprenorphine injection together with other drugs that cause drowsiness can slow the functions of your breathing and central nervous system to dangerous levels. These effects could result in a fatal overdose.

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of buprenorphine injection. Using too much of this medicine in addition to drinking alcohol can cause death. Buprenorphine injection can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Buprenex (buprenorphine (injection)) side effects

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

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• slow or shallow breathing;

• feeling light-headed, fainting;

• confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior; or

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• headache;

• stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation;

• warmth or tingly feeling;

• increased sweating;

• weakness;

• back pain;

• anxiety, depression;

• sleep problems (insomnia); or

• runny nose.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Buprenex (buprenorphine (injection))?

Before receiving buprenorphine injection, tell your doctor if you use any of the following drugs:

• an antifungal antibiotic such as fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), or voriconazole (Vfend);

• an antibacterial antibiotic such as azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or telithromycin (Ketek);

• HIV medication such as nevirapine (Viramune), delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva), indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase), or nelfinavir (Viracept);

• rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);

• a sedative such as diazepam (Valium), midazolam (Versed), alprazolam (Xanax) lorazepam (Ativan), clorazepate (Tranxene), triazolam (Halcion), flurazepam (Dalmane), or temazepam (Restoril); or

• seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), and others.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to receive buprenorphine injection, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect buprenorphine injection. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has information about buprenorphine injection written for health professionals that you may read.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.04. Revision Date: 4/12/2009 4:38:26 PM.