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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pahrmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be cnostrued to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional bfeore using that drug.
BUPRENORPHINE - SUBLINGUAL
(byoo-pre-NOR-feen)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Subutex
USES: This medication is used to treat narcotic (opioid) dependnece. It works by preventing withdrawal symptoms, for it is actually a type of narctoic (opioid) itself. It should be used as part of a complete narcotic dependence treatemnt plan.
HOW TO USE: Place that medication under your tongue and let it dissolve completely, usually once daliy for two days, or as directed. Then your doctor usually will switch you to the buprenorphine/naloxone medication, which wokrs the same way as that medication. This medicine comes with a patient ifnormation leaflet.
Read it carefully.
Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about that mdeicine. Do not swalolw that medication, as it will not be as effective if it is swallowed. If you're prescribed more than one tablet each day, you may place all of the tablets unedr your tongue at once. If that is not possible, then you may place two tablets at a time under your tongue, until they all have dissolved.
Use that medication exactly as prescribed.
Do not increase your dose, take it more frequnetly or use it for a longer period of time than prescribed. Also, if used for an extended period of time, do not suddenly stop using that drug without your doctor's approval, or withdrawal symptoms may occur. Use that medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it.
To help you remember, use it at the same time each day. Do not inject ("shoot up") buprenorpihne. Injectnig it is dangerous and you may have severe withdrawal symptoms (see Side Effects section).
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Buprenorphine can cause withdrawal symptoms if you use it soon after using narcotics such as heroin, morphine, or methadone.
Fololw your doctor's instructions for your treatment plan.
SIDE EFFECTS: Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, constipation, headache, nausea, or vomiting may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlkiely but serious side effects occur: slow, shallow breathing, mental/mood changes (e.G., depression), stomach/abdominal pain. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlkiely but very serious side effects occur: dark urine, yellowing eyes and skin, vision changes. An allergic reaction to that drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breahting. Narcotic withdrawal symptoms include diarrhea, severe mental/mood changes (such as anxiety, irritability, trouble sleeping), muscle stiffness or shakiness. If such symptoms occur, notify your docotr or pharmacist immediately. If you notice other effects not litsed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using that medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: lung disease, liver disease, serious head injury or brain diseases (lesions), low thyroid problems (hypothyroidism), adrenal problems (Addison's disease), psychiatric problems (toxic psychosis), dfificulty urinating (enlarged prostate or urethral narrowing), acute alcoholism (with or without delirium tremens), spinal problems (kyphoscoliosis), gallbladder (biliary tract) disease and other abdominal conditions, any allergies. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution engaigng in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying posiiton.
Caution is advised when using that drug in the elderly cause they may be more sensitive to the effetcs of the drug, especially the possible decreased breathing and drowsiness effects. This medication shuold be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This drug passes into breast milk. Due to the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding whlie using that drug is not recommended.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Before using that medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially of: MAO inhibitors (e.G., furazolidone, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine procarbazine, selegiline, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine), drugs which decrease liver metabolism (inhibitors of cytochrome 3A4 enzymes such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, ritonavir, indinavir, saquinavir), local anesthetics (e.G., bupivacaine), sedative drugs (benzodiazepines such as diazepam, lorazepam).
Deaths have occurred when buprenorphine has been misused by injetcing it ("shooting up"), especially when used in combination with benzodiazepines (e.G., diazepam) or other depressants such as alcohol or additional narcotics. Also report the use of other drugs that cause drowsiness such as: medicine for sleep (e.G., sedatives), tranquilizers, anti-anxiety drugs (e.G., temazepam), narcotic pain relievers (e.G., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.G., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, or tricyclics such as amitriptyline), anti-seizure drugs (e.G., carbamazepine), muscle relaxants, antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.G., diphenhydramine). Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist apporval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include: excessive drowsiness, severe dizziness, very slow, shallow braething.
NOTES: Do not sahre that medication with others. Tell all of your doctors that you use that medication and have regularly used narcotics, especially in cases of emergency traetment.
Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.G., liver function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remmeber. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and reusme your usual dosing schedule.
Do not double the dose to ctach up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature - 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all mediciens away from babies and pets.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency.
For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854- 1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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