Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine (pronounced bew-pre-nor-feen) is taken as a replacement in the treatment of heroin and methadone dependence. 

Pharmacotherapy use of drugs to treat Heroin/Opioid addiction:

Methadone and Buprenorphine are opioids taken as a replacement for heroin and other opioids as part of treatment for dependence on these drugs.
Replacing a drug of dependence with a prescribed drug in this way is known as pharmacotherapy. 

How effective is it?

Methadone and Buprenorphine treatment is more likely to be successful if it is part of a comprehensive treatment program, which addresses the body, mind and environment in which heroin has been used.

Slang names  Bup, B

How is it used?

There are two pharmaceutical formulations of buprenorphine available for people on pharmacotherapy treatment(VIC); Suboxone Sublingual Film® –
A combination of buprenorphine and naloxone (also known as Narcan®).
This is the most widely used form and Subutex Sublingual Tablets® – Contains only buprenorphine.

Suboxone Sublingual Film® is a lime-flavoured, rectangular, orange film, which is placed under the tongue to dissolve.
Subutex Sublingual Tablets® are also placed under the tongue to dissolve. Neither will work properly if chewed or swallowed.

Visible signs of potential buprenorphine use:

• Headache

• Increased sweating

• Tiredness or drowsiness

• Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting

• Abdominal pain

• Skin rashes, itching or hives

• Tooth decay

Please note the effects listed in this information do not automatically indicate that a person is under the influence of illicit drugs. This is only a guide to the possibility.