Buprenorphine (Injection)

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins or as a shot into one of your muscles.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

If a dose is missed:

• Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a sedative such as Valium® or Xanax®. Tell your doctor if you are also using an antibiotic such as erythromycin (E-Mycin®, Ery-Tab®), or medicine to treat a fungal infection such as ketoconazole (Nizoral®). Tell your doctor if you use medicine to treat HIV or AIDS, such as ritonavir, indinavir, saquinavir, Crixivan®, Invirase®, or Norvir®.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using rifampin (Rifadin®, Rifater®), or phenothiazines (such as Compazine®, Phenergan®, or Serentil®).
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using MAO inhibitors (such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®) or medicine to treat seizure such as carbamazepine (Tegretol®) valproic acid (Depakote®), or phenytoin (Dilantin®).
• There are many medicines that can interact with this medicine. Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using.
• Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, an underactive thyroid gland, or an adrenal gland problem.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have a spine deformity, problems with urination, an enlarged prostate, or a history of mental illness.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have ever had a head injury, brain tumor, or stroke.
• This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol on a regular basis.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate.
• Fast or slow heartbeat.
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
• Severe vomiting or stomach pain.
• Shallow breathing, bluish-colored skin, or lips.
• Warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Anxiety or headache.
• Blurred vision or double vision.
• Depression, confusion, ringing in your ears.
• Dry mouth, problems with speech.
• Increased sweating.
• Mild itching or skin rash.
• Mild nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea.
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or lump under your skin where the needle is placed.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Introduction

Buprenorphine (bue-pre-NOR-feen)

Relieves pain. This medicine is a narcotic pain medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

Brand Name(s)

Buprenex