What is buprenorphine?

Buprenorphine is an opioid medicine that is only available on prescription from your doctor.

LOOKING FOR A MEDICINE? — See this list of medicines that contain buprenorphine to find out more about a specific medication.

What is buprenorphine used for?

Buprenorphine is prescribed for the medical treatment of people with an opioid drug dependence. This could include a dependency on heroin or other opioid medicines. Buprenorphine can help people safely withdraw from the opioid medicine they are dependent on.

Buprenorphine can also be prescribed for the short-term treatment of severe, acute pain. There are significant risks associated with the use of opioids. Your doctor will only prescribe buprenorphine if they think that other treatment options are not able to effectively manage your pain, or if other pain medicines are not suitable for your situation.

How does buprenorphine work?

Buprenorphine works to reduce feelings of pain by interrupting the way nerves signal pain between the brain and the body.

When buprenorphine replaces other opioids, it helps reduce the negative effects of withdrawal, and reduces the harm associated with drug use. In this way, buprenorphine makes it easier for people to stop harmful drug use.

Buprenorphine comes in several forms:

• sublingual tablets or film — placed under the tongue for quick absorption and rapid action
• transdermal patches — placed on the skin for slow, steady release and a continuous effect
• injection — modified-release injection under the skin, given weekly or monthly

What are the possible side effects of taking buprenorphine?

Like all opioid medicines, buprenorphine can cause life-threatening breathing problems. The risk of these is higher:

• when first taking buprenorphine
• after a dosage increase
• if you are older
• if you have an existing lung problem

Other common side effects of buprenorphine include:

• skin reactions, if you are using a buprenorphine patch
• constipation
• headache or dizziness
• fatigue or drowsiness (especially soon after a dose)
• loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting

Buprenorphine affects everyone differently. Your likelihood of experiencing side effects may depend on:

• if you regularly use buprenorphine
• if you take buprenorphine with other drugs or medicines
• your dosage
• how much you weigh
• your general health

If you notice side effects while taking buprenorphine, or are concerned about your drug use, speak with your doctor. Your doctor can advise you on other options to manage your pain, or if you need a dosage adjustment.

Always take medicines exactly as your doctor prescribes.

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What are the risks associated with buprenorphine?

Buprenorphine is an opioid medicine and can cause life-threatening breathing problems. It’s also important that you do not stop taking it suddenly.

If you decide you want to stop taking buprenorphine, speak with your doctor about how to gradually reduce your dosage. This will help minimise any difficult withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms usually peak in the first few days after stopping buprenorphine. But symptoms may continue for several weeks. These include:

• nausea and/or vomiting
• diarrhoea
• sweating
• anxiety or agitation

Buprenorphine may make it difficult for you to drive or operate heavy machinery. If you have recently started taking an opioid medicine or changed dosage, you may be at a higher risk of having an accident.

WORRIED ABOUT YOUR OPIOID USE? — The Opioid Risk Indicator can help you find out if you may be developing a problem.

Buprenorphine is not suitable for some people, for example, if you drink alcohol or take other medicines that can cause drowsiness.

Your doctor is the best person to advise you on whether buprenorphine is the right medicine for you, how much you need and how long to take it for.

Never take an opioid medicine that was prescribed for someone else, or give another person an opioid that was prescribed for you.

Are there any alternatives to buprenorphine?

Both buprenorphine and methadone are used to help treat opioid dependence or misuse. Your doctor will help you decide which is the best option for you.

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Last reviewed: May 2023