#
Buprenex
  • Treatments
  • Pain

Buprenex Injection

Generic name:buprenorphine injectionbyoo-pre-NOR-feen ]
Drug class:Narcotic analgesics

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Mar 17, 2021.

What is Buprenex?

Buprenex is an opioid medicine used to treat pain. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic.

Buprenex Injection is used to relieve moderate pain that is severe enough to require an opiate pain killer and for which other medicines (e.g., non-opiate pain killers or opiate-containing combination medicines) have not been, or are not expected to be sufficient.

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

Warnings

MISUSE OF OPIOID MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

Using Buprenex during pregnancy may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.

Fatal side effects can occur if you use opioid medicine with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Buprenex if you are allergic to buprenorphine, or if you have:

  • severe asthma or breathing problems; or

  • a blockage in your stomach or intestines.

To make sure Buprenex is safe for you, 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.

If you use opioid medicine while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on opioids may need medical treatment for several weeks.

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

How should I use Buprenex?

Buprenex is injected into a muscle o...