Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Butrans

Generic Name: buprenorphine (transdermal) (Pronunciation: BUE pre NOR feen)

• What is this drug (Butrans)?
• What are the possible side effects of this drug (Butrans)?
• What is the most important information I should know about this drug (Butrans)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before using this drug (Butrans)?
• How should I use this drug (Butrans)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Butrans)?
• What happens if I overdose (Butrans)?
• What should I avoid while using this drug (Butrans)?
• What other drugs will affect this drug (Butrans)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is this drug (Butrans)?

Buprenorphine is a narcotic (opioid) pain medicine.

Buprenorphine transdermal (skin patch) is used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain when treatment is needed around the clock.

Buprenorphine is not for treating pain just after surgery, or for treating occasional short-term pain.

Buprenorphine transdermal may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of this drug (Butrans)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using buprenorphine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• slow heart rate, weak or shallow breathing, deep sighs, snoring that is new or unusual;
• confusion, severe dizziness, feeling like you might pass out;
• blisters, swelling, or severe irritation where the patch was worn;
• seizure (convulsions); or
• nausea, upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache;
• vomiting, dry mouth, upset stomach, constipation;
• mild dizziness or drowsiness; or
• redness, itching, or mild skin rash where the patch was worn.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about this drug (Butrans)?

You should not use buprenorphine if you are allergic to it, or if you have a severe breathing disorder such as asthma, or a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus.

Never wear more than 1 buprenorphine skin patch at a time unless your doctor has told you to.

Call your doctor at once if you have weak or shallow breathing, snoring that is new or unusual, slow heart rate, confusion, severe dizziness, seizure, or feeling like you might pass out.

Avoid letting another person handle your buprenorphine skin patches. Keep both used and unused patches out of the reach of children or pets. The amount of buprenorphine in a used skin patch could be fatal to a child or pet who accidentally sucks or chews on it. Seek emergency medical attention if this happens.

Do not stop using buprenorphine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using buprenorphine.

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