How To Use Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine comes as a tablet to be placed under the tongue once daily. The buccal film is to be placed between the gum and cheek once daily. Your healthcare provider will determine the appropriate dose of buprenorphine. Try to take buprenorphine at around the same time every day - this will help you remember to take it.

If you are taking the sublingual tablets, place them under your tongue and allow them to dissolve completely. If you are taking more than one buprenorphine sublingual tablet, place all the tablets under your tongue at the same time. After the medicine dissolves completely, take a big sip of water and swish it around in your mouth before swallowing it. Wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth after a buprenorphine dose.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of buprenorphine, increase the dose after a few days, and then switch you over to a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. They may also start you directly on a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Your provider will adjust your dose during opioid use disorder treatment depending on your response.

Read the prescription label carefully and take buprenorphine exactly as recommended by your doctor. Do not change the dose or dosage frequency without your doctor’s approval. Do not stop taking buprenorphine without talking to your doctor, as this could lead to acute withdrawal.

Missed dose: If you miss a dose of buprenorphine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose or extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Storage: Store buprenorphine at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in its original container, tightly closed. Do not store medications in the bathroom, where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep all medications safely out of reach of children and pets. An accidental overdose of buprenorphine can be fatal, especially in children. In addition, buprenorphine and naloxone are at risk of being stolen by people who abuse prescription opioid drugs or street drugs. Take precautions to prevent theft of your medication.

Unused medicine: Unused or expired buprenorphine should be disposed of in a way that children, other people, and pets cannot get to them. Do not throw buprenorphine in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The best way to dispose of expired or unneeded buprenorphine is through your local waste disposal company or a medicine take-back program. Learn more about proper medication disposal. 

NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on buprenorphine. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about buprenorphine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for medical advice.

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