Oral buprenorphine
Buprenorphine can reduce withdrawal symptoms or stop you feeling them as you begin your treatment.
How buprenorphine is prescribed
Buprenorphine is not the only opioid substitute available. Which medication is right for you will depend on several different things.
Before you start any treatment, we’ll give you a full health and wellbeing assessment to make sure you get the right medication for you. We will explain why we have recommended your medication and answer any questions.
If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, are planning to have a baby, or are breastfeeding, ask your prescriber for advice before taking this medicine.
The benefits of buprenorphine
There are a few reasons why many people prefer to take buprenorphine rather than similar medications, such as methadone:
- While buprenorphine is not risk-free, it is considered to be safer around children than methadone.
- Some people feel more clear-headed with buprenorphine.
- It can be easier to detox from.
- It is less damaging than methadone if you overdose on it.
- It typically takes one to two weeks to find the correct dose, but this will vary for everyone.
In addition, buprenorphine can help you come off methadone as well as other opioids.
Taking buprenorphine
Oral buprenorphine can be taken as a tablet which is placed under the tongue to dissolve, or as a wafer (Espranor), which is placed on top of the tongue to dissolve.
You’ll usually take buprenorphine once a day. At the start of your treatment, your prescriber will advise you on how and where to take it. This is to make sure you’re taking the right dose for you.
They will also be able to answer any questions you have about your medication.
When you first take buprenorphine
Buprenorphine only works when your body has low levels of other opioids. You should only take your first dose when you feel withdrawal symptoms starting. Your clinician will discuss this with you to make sure you know when and how to take the first dose of Buprenorphine.
You’ll start on a low dose and work your way up to your regular dose. It’s important not to take other opioids during this time, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms.
A member of our team might occasionally ask you to take a drug test. This is to make sure you’re getting the safest and most effective treatment for you.
Coming off buprenorphine
Once you’ve settled into your regular prescription, your recovery worker will talk to you about your treatment goals.
You may choose to stay on buprenorphine long-term, or gradually reduce your dose and come off it. This is called a detox.
Your worker and prescriber will look at your dose from time to time to see if it needs to be changed.
Medication safety tips
Your medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours. It may harm them.
Speak to your recovery worker or prescriber if you feel any side effects.
Drinking or using drugs on top of your medication can affect how it works, and may be dangerous.
Buprenorphine can affect other medicines. Always tell your prescriber about any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins or minerals, herbal products, or other supplements you are taking.
There are laws for drug driving like there are for drink driving. If you are being prescribed buprenorphine, you must let the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) know.
Keep your medication in a safe place away from children and animals. Ask your worker for a free lockable box to store your medication.
Always call 999 if you think a child has swallowed your medication.
Please give us at least four weeks’ notice if you’re travelling in the UK or abroad. We’ll work with you to make sure it’s medically safe for you to travel.
Naloxone saves lives
Naloxone is a drug that can temporarily reverse the effects of opioids like heroin and fentanyl. It also works on opioid substitute medications like buprenorphine and methadone.
If someone is having an overdose, naloxone could save their life. If you think someone is overdosing but don’t know what they’ve taken, naloxone could help them and won’t harm them.