Buprenorphine Side Effects

Possible side effects of buprenorphine are listed below. Tell your doctor if these side effects are severe or persist after a few days.

• Headache
• Sleep problems
• Stomach ache
• Constipation 
• Redness or numbness in the mouth
• Tongue pain
• Back pain

Rarely, buprenorphine can cause more serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical help if you develop the following symptoms:

• Skin rash, hives, itching
• Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, mouth, throat, hands, lower legs, ankles, or feet
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Respiratory depression (slowed breathing)
• Fever, sweating, shivering, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, fast heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle stiffness, muscle twitching, loss of coordination
• Erectile dysfunction (inability to achieve or keep an erection)
• Irregular menstruation
• Decreased libido (sexual desire)
• Upset stomach
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Slurred speech
• Blurred vision
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Low energy
• Right upper stomach pain, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, light-colored stools

The above list may not include all the potential adverse effects of buprenorphine. Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects if they are unusual or severe or do not get better over time. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Buprenorphine Overdose: Buprenorphine overdose can be fatal. Contact your doctor immediately or call the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 if this occurs. If a person cannot be awakened, has trouble breathing, has collapsed, or has had a seizure, call 911. Signs and symptoms of a buprenorphine overdose may include dizziness, difficulty breathing, slowed breathing, pinpoint pupils, extreme sleepiness, and lack of responsiveness. 

Source: FDA