Buprenorphine

Summary

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that activates opioid receptors to a lesser degree than full agonists like heroin.

Clinically, Buprenorphine is used as a long-term maintenance treatment to prevent opioid withdrawal in patients with opioid dependence.

The drug is administered as a sublingual film that dissolves under the tongue.

Key Points

• Buprenorphine
  • Mechanism
    • Partial Opioid Agonist
      • Binds to and activates opioid receptors, but does not cause as much of a “high” as other opioids
  • Clinical Use
    • Prevents opioid withdrawal
      • Dependence transferred from illegal opioid to buprenorphine
      • Can cause withdrawal symptoms if used after full opioid agonists
    • Used for long-term maintenance
  • Administration
    • Sublingual film
      • Dissolves under the tongue