Buprenorphine and Addiction Treatment
03/03/2011
This is a medication used to treat opioid addiction, primarily in heroin rehabilitation clinics.
It is itself a semi-synthetic opioid and was initially marketed as a painkiller in low doses. Later the high dosage sub-lingual tablets (branded as Subutex and Suboxone) were approved for use in detoxifying from opiates as well as long-term replacement therapy.
It binds more strongly to opiate receptors than other opioids making it more difficult for these drugs to have an effect when the person is on BMT- Buprenorphine Maintenance Therapy (q.v.).
Buprenorphine can have side effects such as drowsiness, vomiting and respiratory depression. It should not be used in conjunction with other central nervous suppressants such as alcohol or benzodiazepines (this can lead to fatal respiratory failure).
If you’re concerned that someone you love needs addiction rehab please contact us for expert and confidential addiction advice.
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