Buprenex (buprenorphine) is a prescription brand-name medication. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat pain in adults as well as children ages 2 years and older. For this purpose, the pain must be severe enough to require opioids and must not have eased after using other pain treatments in the past.

Buprenex is used as a short-term treatment.

Here are some fast facts on Buprenex:

As with other drugs, Buprenex can cause certain side effects. Below you’ll learn about possible common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Buprenex, refer to this article.

Note: Keep in mind that Buprenex may not be available in your area. To see if it is, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Buprenex can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Buprenex in clinical trials:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects specifics” section below.

Mild side effects can occur with Buprenex use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects reported with the drug. For more information, you can refer to Buprenex’s package instructions.

Mild side effects of Buprenex can include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while using Buprenex and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects specifics” section below.

Buprenex may cause rare but serious side effects. You may be more likely to experience serious side effects if you have certain conditions, such as heart problems or lung disease. For more information, see the “Precautions for Buprenex” section below.

The list below may not include all possible reported serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Buprenex’s package instructions.

If you develop serious side effects while using Buprenex, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

* Buprenex has boxed warnings for these side effects. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Buprenex may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Does Buprenex have any contraindications?

Yes. Buprenex has several contraindications (conditions that prevent you from using the drug).

Contraindications for Buprenex include:

Talk with your doctor about all of your health conditions before starting Buprenex treatment. They can help determine if the drug is safe for you to use.

Is Buprenex safe for humans?

Yes, Buprenex is safe for humans.

Buprenex is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat pain* in adults as well as children ages 2 years and older. The FDA approves drugs only if they’ve been found to be safe and effective in human clinical trials.

Buprenex has also been used off-label to treat mild to moderate pain in animals. (Off-label means the drug is prescribed for a use that isn’t FDA-approved.) Even though the drug is sometimes used in animals, Buprenex is safe to use in humans.

If you have questions about the safety of Buprenex, talk with your doctor.

* For this purpose, the pain must be severe enough to require opioids and must not have eased after using other pain treatments in the past.

What are the short- and long-term side effects of using Buprenex?

Buprenex can cause short- and long-term side effects.

Short-term side effects usually go away within a few hours or days after you’ve used the drug. Most side effects from Buprenex are short-term. Examples of these include:

Long-term side effects can last for several days or weeks after you’ve used Buprenex. Addiction and misuse are examples of possible long-term side effects. In fact, Buprenex has boxed warnings for these side effects. A boxed warning is the mostserious warning from the FDA. For more information, see the “Side effects specifics” section below.

If you’re concerned about possible short- and long-term side effects from Buprenex, talk with your doctor.

Can Buprenex interact with other drugs?

Yes, Buprenex can interact with other drugs.

One interaction is between Buprenex and drugs called central nervous system (CNS) depressants.* This combination of medications may cause serious side effects, such as respiratory depression. With respiratory depression, your breathing is slow, shallow, or weak. Other serious side effects can include sedation (feeling drowsy and less alert than usual), coma, and possibly death.

Alcohol is a type of CNS depressant, and so are benzodiazepines (medications used for anxiety or seizures), including:

If you drink alcohol or take any CNS depressants, talk with your doctor before using Buprenex. They’ll typically limit your dosage of the CNS depressant and monitor you closely during your Buprenex treatment.

Keep in mind that there are other possible drug interactions with Buprenex. Read this article to learn more.

* Buprenex has a boxed warning for risk from using benzodiazepines and other CNS depressants. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Buprenex may cause.

Nausea and vomiting

The use of Buprenex can lead to nausea and vomiting. This side effect was common in clinical studies of the drug.

What you can do

If you have nausea and vomiting after receiving a dose of Buprenex, try taking it at bedtime and try not to lie flat after taking Buprenex.

The next time you’re scheduled to have a dose of Buprenex, try eating beforehand. This may help settle your stomach and help prevent nausea and vomiting. It’s recommended that you avoid fried or fatty foods as well as foods with strong odors. In addition, certain foods and drinks (such as ginger, water, and crackers) may help if you feel nauseous.

If the nausea and vomiting becomes bothersome, talk with your doctor. They may be able to recommend other ways to help ease this side effect.

Headache

Buprenex treatment can cause headache. This was a common side effect in clinical studies of the medication.

What you can do

You may be able to ease headache with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Mortrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol). You may also find relief from applying a cold compress to your head.

If you experience a persistent or worsening headache after using Buprenex, talk with your doctor. This could be a symptom of respiratory depression (slow, shallow, or weak breathing). Headache could also be as symptom of other serious conditions, such as increased pressure inside your skull. Your doctor may order additional tests to monitor for these other side effects.

Severe constipation

Buprenex can cause severe constipation. This side effect was less common than others that occurred in clinical studies of the drug.

Symptoms of constipation can include:

  • dry, hard feces
  • feelings of fullness after a bowel movement
  • fewer than three bowel movements per week

What you can do

If you have constipation that doesn’t go away within a few days after using Buprenex, talk with your doctor. Constipation that doesn’t ease can lead to more serious issues, such as a blockage in the intestines. Your doctor can suggest ways to relieve this side effect and help prevent your condition from worsening.

Life threatening respiratory depression

Buprenex has a boxed warning for life threatening respiratory depression. This is a rare but serious side effect of the drug.

Symptoms of respiratory depression can include:

  • blue or pale-looking skin, especially on your lips, fingers, or toes
  • confusion
  • persistent headache
  • shortness of breath
  • slowed or shallow breathing
  • seizures

What you can do

Respiratory depression is more common in people who have lung problems such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The side effect is also more common in older adults and people who are extremely ill.

Because Buprenex is given under the supervision of a healthcare provider in a hospital setting, you’ll be closely monitored for signs of respiratory depression after each dose.

Be sure to tell the healthcare provider if you experience any of the above symptoms after you’ve received your Buprenex dose. They’ll continue watching you closely to make sure your condition doesn’t worsen.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Buprenex can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But it’s not known how often this side effect may have occurred in clinical studies.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • rash
  • itching
  • flushing (warmth or redness/deepening of skin color for a brief time)
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, talk with your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep using Buprenex. But if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Buprenex has warnings that may affect whether you can use the medication safely. Read on to learn more.

Boxed warnings

This drug has boxed warnings. These are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. Here are the boxed warnings for Buprenex:

  • Addiction and misuse. For more information, see the “Buprenex and misuse” section below.
  • Life threatening respiratory depression. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.
  • Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. For details, see “Pregnancy and breastfeeding while using Buprenex” below.
  • Risk from using benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants. To learn more, see “Can Buprenex interact with other drugs?” in the “FAQs about the side effects of Buprenex” section above.

Other precautions

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you use Buprenex. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Brain or skull problems. Before using Buprenex, tell your doctor if you have problems with your brain or skull, such as a past head injury, brain tumor, or increased pressure inside your skull. Buprenex can worsen your brain or skull problems by raising this pressure even more. If you have any of these conditions, talk with your doctor about the risks of using Buprenex.

Blockage in the intestines. Before using Buprenex, tell your doctor if you have a history of blockage in the intestines. The drug can cause severe constipation that may worsen the blockage. If you have a history of intestinal blockage, talk with your doctor about the pain treatment option that’s best for you.

Heart problems. Before starting Buprenex treatment, tell your doctor if you have any heart problems, such as atrial fibrillation or congestive heart failure. Buprenex can lead to certain heart problems, including long QT syndrome. So your risk for heart problems as a side effect of Buprenex is higher if you already have heart problems before using the drug. Talk with your doctor about the treatment choice that’s best for you.

Liver or kidney problems. Your body uses your liver and kidneys to break down Buprenex and clear it from your system. If you have liver or kidney problems, your body may not break down or clear Buprenex as well. This can lead to higher levels of the drug in your body, which increases your risk for side effects. Be sure to talk with your doctor about any liver or kidney problems you have before starting Buprenex treatment.

Lung problems. Buprenex can cause respiratory depression. If you have a lung problem, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), using Buprenex can make it more difficult for you to breathe. Be sure to talk with your doctor about any lung problems you have before using the drug.

Seizure disorders. Before starting Buprenex treatment, tell your doctor if you have a history of seizure disorders. The drug can raise your risk for having seizures. So if you have a seizure disorder, your doctor will typically want to monitor your seizure control closely while you’re using Buprenex.

Shock. You shouldn’t use Buprenex if you’re experiencing shock (low amount of oxygen and blood flowing through your body). This is because Buprenex can lead to very low blood pressure, which can be worsened by shock. If you have shock, your doctor will typically prescribe a treatment other than Buprenex for you.

Allergic reaction. You shouldn’t use Buprenex If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to Buprenex or any of its ingredients. Talk with your doctor about which other treatments are better choices for you.

Being an older adult or extremely ill. If you’re an older adult or are extremely ill, you’re at a higher risk for having severe respiratory depression after using Buprenex. Be sure your doctor knows about your health history before prescribing the drug to you.

Alcohol use with Buprenex

Drinking alcohol while using Buprenex may put you at risk for certain serious side effects.

Alcohol is a type of drug called a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. The use of Buprenex with a CNS depressant can cause serious side effects,* such as respiratory depression. With respiratory depression, your breathing is slow, shallow, or weak. Other serious side effects can include sedation (feeling drowsy and less alert than usual), coma, and in some cases, death.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor before using Buprenex. They can advise you on how much, if any, alcohol is safe to consume during your treatment.

* Buprenex has a boxed warning for risk from using CNS depressants. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see “Can Buprenex interact with other drugs?” in the “FAQs about the side effects of Buprenex” section above.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while using Buprenex

Below is some information about whether you can use Buprenex while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Pregnancy

The use of Buprenex during pregnancy can lead to certain problems.

Using Buprenex for a long period of time during pregnancy can lead to neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome in a newborn.* Symptoms of this condition include:

  • fever
  • fussiness
  • high-pitched and excessive crying
  • muscle twitching and tightening
  • seizures
  • shaking
  • trouble gaining weight or feeding

If you took Buprenex during pregnancy and your newborn has any of these symptoms, talk with your doctor right away.

If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor before using Buprenex. They can explain the risks and benefits of using the drug while pregnant.

* Buprenex has a boxed warning for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Breastfeeding

It’s recommended that you avoid breastfeeding while using Buprenex. Studies of other forms of buprenorphine (the active drug in Buprenex) have shown that the drug can pass into breast milk during breastfeeding.

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed during Buprenex treatment, talk with your doctor. They can suggest healthy alternatives for feeding your child or recommend a different drug.

Buprenex is a Schedule III controlled substance, which means using the drug may lead to addiction or misuse. This can occur even when Buprenex is prescribed for a legitimate medical purpose.

In some cases, addiction and misuse can result in overdose, or possibly death. Buprenex has a boxed warning for the risk of addiction and misuse. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Buprenex is given under the supervision of a healthcare provider in a hospital setting. Because of this, the risk of misusing the drug is lower than for other forms of buprenorphine (the active drug in Buprenex). But your doctor will still see if you’re at risk for addiction and misuse before you start Buprenex treatment. They’ll also typically monitor you during your treatment.

If you’re concerned about your risk for addiction and misuse of Buprenex, talk with your doctor.

Buprenex can cause mild and serious side effects. Most side effects are mild and go away with time.

Although serious side effects are rare, be sure to talk with your doctor if you have any symptoms of the following conditions:

Before using Buprenex, you should also tell your doctor if you’re pregnant.

If you’d like to learn more about Buprenex, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from using the drug.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.