Generic name: buprenorphine transdermal (skin patch) [ BUE-pre-NOR-feen ]
Brand name: Butrans
Dosage form: transdermal film, extended release (10 mcg/hr; 15 mcg/hr; 20 mcg/hr; 5 mcg/hr; 7.5 mcg/hr)
Drug class: Opioids (narcotic analgesics)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Aug 12, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is buprenorphine transdermal?

Buprenorphine transdermal is an opioid pain medication that is used for around-the-clock treatment of moderate to severe chronic pain that is not controlled by other medicines. buprenorphine transdermal is not for use on an as-needed basis for pain.

Buprenorphine transdermal may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

You should not use this medicine if you have severe asthma or breathing problems, or a blockage in your stomach or intestines.

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

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

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

Before taking this medicine

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

• a severe breathing problem; or

• a blockage in your stomach or intestines.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a head injury, brain tumor, or seizures;

• breathing problems, sleep apnea;

• alcoholism, drug addiction, mental illness;

• urination problems;

• liver or kidney disease;

• heart rhythm problems, long QT syndrome; or

• problems with your gallbladder, pancreas, or thyroid.

If you use buprenorphine 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 habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Do not breast-feed while using buprenorphine. buprenorphine transdermal can breathing problems or death in a nursing baby.

How should I use buprenorphine transdermal?

Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Never use buprenorphine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of this medicine.

Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medicine in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away buprenorphine is against the law.

The skin patch is for use only on the skin. Do not apply near your eyes, nose, mouth, or lips.

If you touch the sticky side of a skin patch, wash the skin with clear water and seek medical care at once. Do not use a buprenorphine transdermal skin patch if it has been cut or damaged.

Never wear more than 1 patch at a time unless your doctor has told you to.

Do not wear a skin patch on a part of your body where a child could reach or remove the patch from your skin. Avoid allowing children to watch you put on a skin patch. Never tell a child that the buprenorphine skin patch is a "bandage."

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using buprenorphine.

Store unopened patches at room temperature. Keep track of how many skin patches have been used from each new package. Buprenorphine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

After removing a skin patch: fold it in half firmly with the sticky side in, and flush the patch down the toilet or use the Patch-Disposal Unit provided with this medication.

Keep both used and unused patches out of the reach of children or pets. Even the amount of buprenorphine in a used skin patch could be fatal to a child or pet who accidentally sucks or chews on the patch. Seek emergency medical attention if this happens.

Do not keep leftover opioid medication. Just one dose can cause death in someone using this medicine accidentally or improperly. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, dispose of any unused skin patches in the same folded manner. Do not flush the foil pouch or patch liners; place them in a trash container out of the reach of children and pets.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Remove the patch and apply a new one as soon as you remember. Do not wear extra patches to make up a missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A buprenorphine overdose can be fatal, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription.

Buprenorphine transdermal can cause death in a child who gets a hold of a skin patch and places it in the mouth or on the skin.

What should I avoid while using buprenorphine transdermal?

Avoid sources of heat while wearing the patch. Tell your doctor if you have a fever. Do not use a heating pad or electric blanket, tanning bed or sauna. Avoid sunlight, hot bath water, and vigorous activity. Heat can increase the amount of drug you absorb through your skin and may cause an overdose or death.

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how buprenorphine transdermal will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Buprenorphine transdermal side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should give naloxone and/or seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

Buprenorphine may cause serious side effects. Stop using buprenorphine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• weak or shallow breathing, deep sighs, snoring that is new or unusual;

• breathing that stops during sleep;

• chest pain, fast heart rate, seizure (convulsions);

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• blisters, swelling, or severe irritation where the patch was worn;

• adrenal gland problems--nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, feeling weak or tired; or

• liver problems--upper stomach pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults and those who are overweight, malnourished, or debilitated.

Common side effects of buprenorphine transdermal may include:

• constipation, nausea, vomiting;

• headache, dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness; or

• redness, itching, or rash where the patch was worn.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect buprenorphine transdermal?

You may have breathing problems or withdrawal symptoms if you start or stop taking certain other medicines. Tell your doctor if you also use an antibiotic, antifungal medication, heart or blood pressure medication, seizure medication, or medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C.

Opioid medication can interact with many other drugs and cause dangerous side effects or death. Be sure your doctor knows if you also use:

• cold or allergy medicines, bronchodilator asthma/COPD medication, or a diuretic ("water pill");

• medicines for motion sickness, irritable bowel syndrome, or overactive bladder;

• other narcotic medications--opioid pain medicine or prescription cough medicine;

• a sedative like Valium--diazepam, alprazolam, lorazepam, Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, and others;

• drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing--a sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, medicine to treat mood disorders or mental illness; or

• drugs that affect serotonin levels in your body--a stimulant, or medicine for depression, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or nausea and vomiting.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect buprenorphine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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