Buprenorphine chemical structure
Find information on thousands of medical conditions and prescription drugs.

Suboxone

Buprenorphine, also colloquially referred to as bupe, is an opioid drug with partial agonist and antagonist actions. Buprenorphine hydrochloride was first marketed in the 1980s by Reckitt & Colman (now Reckitt Benckiser) as an analgesic, yet is now primarily used for the treatment of opioid addiction. It is a Schedule III drug under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances. more...

Home
Diseases
Medicines
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
Growth hormone
Salbutamol
Salmeterol
Sandimmune
Sandostatin
Sansert
Saquinavir
Sarafem
Satric
Scopolamine
Seasonale
Secobarbital
Secretin
Selegiline
Semprex-D
Sensipar
Sensorcaine
Serax
Serevent
Serine
Seroquel
Serostim
Serrapeptase
Sertindole
Sertraline
Serzone
Sevelamer
Sevoflurane
Sibutramine
Sildenafil
Silibinin
Simvastatin
Sinemet
Sinequan
Singulair
Sirolimus
Skelaxin
Sodium cyclamate
Solage
Soma
Somatostatin
Sotahexal
Sotalol
Sotret
Spiperone
Spiriva
Spironolactone
Sporahexal
Sporanox
SPS
SSD
Stanozolol
Stavudine
Stelazine
Stilbestrol
Stilbetin
Stimate
Stiripentol
Strattera
Streptokinase
Streptomycin
Suboxone
Subutex
Sucralfate
Sucralfate
Sufentanil
Sulbactam
Sulfamethoxazole
Sulfanilamide
Sulfasalazine
Sulforidazine
Sulla
Sulpiride
Sultamicillin
Sumatriptan
Suprefact
Suramin sodium
Sustaire
Sustiva
Suxamethonium chloride
Symmetrel
Synarel
Synercid
Synthroid
Syntocinon
Zaleplon
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

Commercial preparations

Britsh firm Reckitt & Colman (now Reckitt Benckiser) first marketed buprenorphine under the trade names Temgesic (sublingual/parenteral preparations, no active additives) and Buprenex (parenteral, no active additives). Two more recent formulations from Reckitt Benckiser have been approved for opioid addiction treatment in the U.S.: Subutex (lemon-lime flavored sublingual, no active additives; in 2mg and 8mg dosages) and Suboxone (orange-tang flavored sublingual, one part naloxone for every four parts buprenorphine; hexagon shaped tablet in 2mg and 8mg dosages). Suboxone contains the opioid antagonist naloxone to deter illicit intravenous preparation of the tablet, this is intended to attenuate the effects of buprenorphine on opioid-naive users should this formulation be injected - however no human studies have been done demonstrating the efficacy of this approach with buprenorphine. It must also be noted that buprenorphine in and of itself will induce a precipitated withdrawal syndrome if ingested by an acutely opioid dependant/intoxicated individual.

Buprenorphine is also delivered transdermally in 25, 50 and 75 mcg/hour. The trade name in the UK is Transtec, and manufactured by Napp. A new 5, 10 and 20 mcg/hour patch marketed as Bu'7rans (Bu-trans), where the 7 indicates its once weekly dosage for pain in osteoarthritis.

Pharmacology and pharmacokinetics

Buprenorphine is a thebaine derivative, and its analgesic effect is due to partial agonist activity at μ-opioid receptors. Buprenorphine is also a κ-opioid receptor antagonist. The partial agonist activity means that opioid receptor antagonists (e.g., an antidote such as naloxone) only partially reverse the effects of buprenorphine.

Buprenorphine hydrochloride is administered by intramuscular injection, intravenous infusion, via a transdermal patch, or as a sublingual tablet. It is not administered orally, due to very high first-pass metabolism. Buprenorphine is metabolised by the liver, via the CYP3A4 isozyme of the cytochrome p450 enzyme system, into norbuprenorphine (by N-dealkylation) and other metabolites. The metabolites are further conjugated with glucuronic acid and eliminated mainly through excretion into the bile. The elimination half-life of buprenorphine is 20.4–72.9 hours (mean 34.6).

Clinical use

Buprenorphine is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe pain, peri-operative analgesia, and opioid dependence. It has a longer duration of action than morphine, and sublingual tablets offer an analgesic effect for 6 to 8 hours. (Joint Formulary Committee, 2004) Australian guidelines recommend against the use of buprenorphine as an analgesic because: its effect is not reversed by naloxone, it may precipitate withdrawal symptoms in people dependent on other opioids, and it may cause dependence itself and has potential for misuse. (Rossi, 2005) When used for opioid dependence, buprenorphine remains effective in the body for up to 48 hours, curbing withdrawal symptoms and counteracting other opioids that may be administered to the patient (licitly or illicitly).

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]


Buprenorphine treats opiate addiction in office. (Two Sublingual Formulations Approved). : An article from: Family Practice News $5.95 Office-based opioid therapy.(Editorial) : An article from: Internal Medicine News $5.95

Drugs approved for opiate dependence - Updates - Subutex and Suboxone
The FDA has approved two new products to treat opiate dependence. In October 2002, the FDA approved Subutex and Suboxone tablets, which work by preventing ...
FDA approvals - Avodart, Subutex, Suboxone
Dutasteride. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved dutasteride (Avodart) for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia ...
Office based therapy for opiate addiction successful
"Option Can Increase Number of Patients Seeking Treatment" The recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of buprenorphine and of a combination ...
Annual update: Drugs, diagnostics and devices
As NPs continue to play an important role in health care as administers of prescriptions, the value of reviewing the latest Food and Drug Administration ...
Buprenorphine physician training sessions - Brief Article
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is conducting a series of sessions to train physicians on the proper administration ...
Prescription drug abuse: FDA and SAMHSA join forces
Kyle Moores, 19, of Manassas, Va., says he knew he needed help when his abuse of the pain reliever OxyContin (oxycodone) left him drowning in debt and ...
One-two treatment for opioid addiction
SUBUTEX AND SUBOXONE The FDA has approved Subutex and Suboxone to prevent withdrawal symptoms in patients addicted to opioids. Subutex, which contains ...
Treating Addiction with Drugs - methadone and naltrexone
Drug and alcohol addictions target the pleasure areas of the brain. With long-term use, brain chemistry changes. The number of dopamine receptors in ...

Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay