Opioid addiction is a life-changing and difficult experience. For those of you who are trying to recover from this, or who are thinking of helping someone who is, I thought I would talk about a treatment method available in medical science today. This is a long-acting injection called Buprenorphine. Today, we will talk about what it does, how to use it, and what things to be careful about.
Simply put, what is this Buprenorphine injection?
Buprenorphine is a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. Specifically, it works in your body to reduce withdrawal symptoms, such as body aches and restlessness, that occur when you stop using opioid drugs. It also helps control cravings, which are the urges to use the drugs again.
The important thing is that this is not a vaccine alone, but a treatment. It is most effective when used in conjunction with counseling and behavior therapy . It is like a crutch that helps someone walk. The crutch helps, but you have to work hard to walk. Sublocade is a well-known brand name for this medication.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting treatment
It is essential that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition to determine if this treatment is right for you and safe. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions below, be sure to tell your doctor without hiding anything .
| Medical condition/habit | Description |
|---|---|
| Brain, heart, and lung problems | A brain tumor, head injury, heart disease, irregular heartbeat, lung disease, asthma or other breathing problems. |
| Stomach-related diseases | Liver disease, gallbladder disease, pancreatic disease, intestinal problems. |
| Other health conditions and habits | Addiction to other drugs, frequent alcohol consumption, low adrenal gland function, seizures. |
| Other medications being taken | If you have taken an MAOI medication such as Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate within the past 14 days. |
| Allergies and others | If you are allergic to buprenorphine or any other medicine, food, or coloring. If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How is this vaccine given?
This is very important. This Buprenorphine injection is a subcutaneous injection. You will never be allowed to take it home. It is only given by a trained doctor or nurse in a hospital or clinic.
- What if you miss a dose? If you can't come in for your scheduled dose, don't let it get in the way. Call your doctor or clinic right away to reschedule.
- What if the dose is increased? Since this is given by a doctor, the chance of an overdose is low. However, if you think that something has happened, you should immediately go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital . You can also call the National Poison Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice if necessary.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine
It is very important to inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, as some medications can cause dangerous side effects when combined with Buprenorphine.
| Medicines that should never be taken together | |
|---|---|
| Drugs like Cisapride, Dronedarone, Pimozide, Safinamide, Samidorphan, Thioridazine. | |
| Be careful! Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking these. | |
| Alcohol | Alcohol |
| Medications for sleep and anxiety | Certain medications for anxiety or sleep |
| Medications for Depression | Certain medications for depression or psychotic disorders |
| Medicines for allergies, coughs, and colds | Antihistamines for allergy, cough and cold |
| Some antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals | Ex: Erythromycin, Ketoconazole |
| Other painkillers or opioids for coughs | Other narcotic medications for pain or cough |
This list is not complete, so be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and even herbal products you are taking.
Things you should pay special attention to during treatment
- Do not take other opioids: Do not try to use more opioids (e.g. heroin) to counteract the effects of this medicine. This is very dangerous and can even lead to death.
- Don't stop suddenly: Your body will get used to this medicine. Stopping it suddenly can cause serious side effects. If you need to stop treatment, do so under your doctor's advice, by gradually reducing the dose.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medication may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. So avoid doing dangerous tasks like driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you.
- Avoid alcohol: Drinking alcohol can increase the side effects of the medication, especially drowsiness and breathing difficulties.
- Constipation: This is a common side effect of this medication. Drink plenty of water and eat fiber-rich foods (fruits, vegetables). If you do not have a bowel movement after 3 days, call your doctor.
- Be aware of Naloxone: Naloxone is a life-saving emergency drug given in the event of an opioid overdose. Ask your doctor about this and the symptoms of an overdose (severe drowsiness, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness).
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can cause some side effects. Some of them are serious, some of them are common.
| Serious side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Respiratory depression (CNS depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, severe drowsiness, and loss of consciousness. |
| Liver injury | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow/brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin. |
| Changes in heart rate | Fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, chest pain. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Common problems | Constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, nausea, vomiting. |
| Discomfort at the injection site | Pain, redness, or swelling where the injection was given. |
Take-Home Message
- Buprenorphine injection is a treatment for opioid addiction. It is only given by a doctor in a hospital or clinic.
- Before starting treatment, it is imperative that you tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and all of the medications you are taking.
- Avoid alcohol and other opioids completely while taking this treatment. It can be life-threatening.
- Never stop treatment suddenly without medical advice.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as difficulty breathing, severe drowsiness, or confusion, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- You are not alone in this journey. Counseling, along with medical treatment, will be a great help in overcoming this addiction.
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