Medicine & USMLE

Buprenorphine

139 views
Psych Drugs (New)
  1. Mirtazapine
  2. Vortioxetine
  3. Bupropion
  4. Trazodone
  5. Vilazodone
  6. Buspirone
  7. Buprenorphine
  8. Typical Antipsychotics
  9. Naltrexone
  10. Nicotine Replacement Therapies
  11. SSRIs

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