Buprenex

Bu·pren·ex (bypr-nks)

A trademark for the drug buprenorphine hydrochloride.

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Buprenex,

trademark for a parenteral analgesic (buprenorphine hydrochloride).

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buprenorphine hydrochloride

Buprenex, Subutex, Temgesic (UK), Transtec

Pharmacologic class: Opioid agonist-antagonist

Therapeutic class: Opioid analgesic

Controlled substance schedule III

Pregnancy risk category C

Action

Unclear. May bind to opiate receptors in CNS, altering perception of and response to painful stimuli while causing generalized CNS depression. Also has partial antagonist properties, which may lead to opioid withdrawal effects in patients with physical drug dependence.

Availability

Injection: 300 mcg (0.3 mg)/ml

Tablets (sublingual): 2 mg, 8 mg

⊘Indications and dosages

➣ Moderate to severe pain

Adults: 0.3 mg I.M. or slow I.V. q 6 hours as needed. Repeat initial dose after 30 to 60 minutes.

Children ages 2 to 12: 2 to 6 mcg (0.002 to 0.006 mg)/kg I.M. or slow I.V. q 4 to 6 hours

➣ Opioid dependence

Adults: 12 to 16 mg/day S.L.

Dosage adjustment

• Elderly patients

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to drug
• Elderly patients
• MAO inhibitor use within 14 days

Precautions

Use cautiously in:
• increased intracranial pressure (ICP); respiratory impairment; severe renal, hepatic, or pulmonary disease; hypothyroidism; adrenal insufficiency; undiagnosed abdominal pain; prostatic hypertrophy; systemic lupus erythematosus; gout; kyphoscoliosis; diabetes mellitus; alcoholism
• elderly patients
• pregnant or breastfeeding patients
• children younger than age 13.

Administration

• Mix with lactated Ringer's injection, dextrose 5% in water, or normal saline solution.
☞ Give I.V. dose slowly over no less than 2 minutes. Drug may cause respiratory depression (especially initial dose).
• When giving I.M., rotate injection sites to prevent induration and abscess.
• If patient is immobilized, reposition him frequently and keep head of bed elevated.

Route	Onset	Peak	Duration
I.V.	Immediate	2 min	6 hr
I.M., S.L.	15 min	1 hr	6 hr

Adverse reactions

CNS: confusion, malaise, hallucinations, dizziness, euphoria, headache, unusual dreams, psychosis, slurred speech, paresthesia, depression, tremor, agitation, seizures, coma, increased ICP

CV: hypertension, hypotension, palpitations, tachycardia, Wenckebach (Mobitz Type 1) block, bradycardia

EENT: blurred vision, diplopia, amblyopia, miosis, conjunctivitis, tinnitus

GI: nausea, vomiting, constipation, flatulence, ileus, dry mouth

GU: urinary retention

Respiratory: hypoventilation, dyspnea, cyanosis, apnea, respiratory depression

Skin: diaphoresis, pruritus

Other: physical or psychological drug dependence, drug tolerance

Interactions

Drug-drug. Antidepressants, antihistamines, sedative-hypnotics: additive CNS depression

MAO inhibitors: increased CNS and respiratory depression, increased hypotension

Drug-herbs. Chamomile, hops, kava, skullcap, valerian: increased CNS depression

Drug-behaviors. Alcohol use: increased CNS depression

Patient monitoring

• Check hepatic function before and during therapy.
• Monitor respiratory status throughout therapy. Respiratory rate of 12 breaths/minute or less may warrant withholding dose or decreasing dosage.

Patient teaching

• Instruct patient to move slowly when sitting up or standing, to avoid dizziness or light-headedness from sudden blood pressure drop.
• Caution patient to avoid driving and other hazardous activities until he knows how drug affects concentration and alertness.
• Advise patient to increase daily fluid intake to help prevent constipation.
• As appropriate, review all other significant and life-threatening adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the drugs, herbs, and behaviors mentioned above.