• Image of Butrans medication

    • BUTRANS (Brand for BUPRENORPHINE)

    • QTY 4
    • 5 MCG/HR
    • Patch

BUPRENORPHINE (byoo pre NOR feen) treats severe, chronic pain. It is prescribed when other pain medications have not worked or cannot be tolerated. It works by blocking pain signals in the brain. It belongs to a group of medications called opioids. This medication is long-acting. Do not use it to treat sudden pain.

BUTRANS (Brand for BUPRENORPHINE) Lifestyle Interactions

  • Buprenorphine 5mcg/1h, Transdermal patch - Weekly

    • Interaction: Alcohol
    • Severity: Major
    • Notes for Consumers: Avoid alcohol-containing drinks while taking this medicine. Using this drug along with alcohol can lead to serious side effects. You may feel drowsy or more tired when taking these drugs together. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you, and especially if you are drinking alcohol-containing beverages. If you notice slurred speech, confusion, severe weakness, or difficulty breathing, contact your health care provider immediately.
    • Notes for Professionals: Alcohol is associated with CNS depression. The combined use of alcohol and CNS depressants can lead to additive CNS depression, which could be dangerous in tasks requiring mental alertness and fatal in overdose. Alcohol taken with other CNS depressants can lead to additive respiratory depression, hypotension, profound sedation, or coma. Consider the patient's use of alcohol or illicit drugs when prescribing CNS depressant medications. In many cases, the patient should receive a lower dose of the CNS depressant initially if the patient is not likely to be compliant with avoiding alcohol.

  • Buprenorphine 5mcg/1h, Transdermal patch - Weekly

    • Interaction: Grapefruit juice
    • Severity: Moderate
    • Notes for Consumers: Grapefruit juice and grapefruit-containing foods may increase the side effects of Buprenorphine. Do not significantly alter grapefruit juice intake while taking this drug, or avoid grapefruit juice if possible. If you notice slurred speech, confusion, severe weakness, difficulty breathing, palpitations, shortness of breath, or a change in your usual heart beat (fast, slow, or irregular heart beat), contact your health care prescriber.
    • Notes for Professionals: Since the metabolism of buprenorphine is mediated by CYP3A4, consumption of grapefruit juice, a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, may decrease the clearance of buprenorphine resulting in prolonged or increased opioid effects. Dose adjustments of buprenorphine may be necessary in patients who regularly consume grapefruit juice. The effect of CYP3A4 inhibitors on buprenorphine implants has not been studied, and the effect may be dependent on the route of administration.

DISCLAIMER: This drug information content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients should always consult their physician with any questions regarding a medical condition and to obtain medical advice and treatment. Drug information is sourced from GSDD (Gold Standard Drug Database ) provided by Elsevier.