Sometimes the pain we experience can be so severe that ordinary painkillers cannot control it. There are special medications that doctors use to treat this kind of severe pain, whether it comes after an accident, surgery, or other medical conditions. Buprenorphine is a powerful painkiller injection that is used when other painkillers fail to provide relief. This is a medicine that is only given in a hospital or clinic. So, let's talk about it in a little more detail today.
What kind of medicine is Buprenorphine?
Simply put, Buprenorphine is a medication that is used to control severe pain . Your doctor will usually prescribe this medication when you can't tolerate other painkillers or when they don't relieve your pain.
It works by blocking pain signals in our brain. That is, it reduces the amount of pain we feel. This medicine belongs to a group of drugs called opioids . These are strong painkillers and should only be used under medical supervision. Do not use this medicine for anything other than what your doctor has prescribed.
Things you need to tell your doctor before giving this medicine
Since this is a powerful medication, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. If you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell them before you receive this injection.
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
| Brain-related problems | Conditions such as a brain tumor and a severe head injury. |
| Addictions and habits | If you have a history of drug addiction or are a frequent drinker. |
| Diseases of internal organs | Liver disease, gallbladder disease, pancreatic disease. |
| Heart disease | Any heart disease, irregular heartbeat. |
| Respiratory system problems | Lung disease, asthma, or other breathing difficulties. |
| Other medical conditions | Low adrenal gland function, seizures, intestinal problems. |
| Use of other medications | If you have taken an MAOI medication such as Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate within the past 14 days. |
| Allergies | If you have an allergy to buprenorphine or any other medicine, food, or dye. |
| Special occasions | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How to use the medicine and what to do in an emergency?
This medicine is given to you as an injection into a vein or into a muscle . This is always given by medical staff in a hospital or clinic.
Overdose
If you think you have been given too much of this medicine, or if you suspect that you have been given too much, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital. This is very important, because this is a powerful medicine.
Important note: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never share this medicine with anyone else. Doing so is dangerous and may be punishable by law.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
Buprenorphine can interact with many other medications, so it's important to tell your doctor about all the other medications you're taking (including vitamins, herbal products, and painkillers).
| Medications that should never be taken with buprenorphine | |
|---|---|
| Cisapride | Dronedarone |
| Pimozide | Safinamide |
| Samidorphan | Thioridazine |
In addition, it can interact with many other medications. For example:
- Alcohol
- Antihistamines for coughs, colds, and allergies
- Medications for depression, anxiety, and insomnia
- Some antiviral drugs for HIV or Hepatitis
- Some medications for fungal infections (e.g. Ketoconazole)
- Anticonvulsant medications (e.g. Carbamazepine)
- General anesthetics
- Muscle relaxants
- Other opioid painkillers or cough medicines
This list is not complete. So tell your doctor about all the medicines you take. Don't forget to tell him if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs.
Things to consider when taking medication
- Report pain: Tell your doctor if your pain does not go away, if it gets worse, or if you have a new type of pain.
- Tolerance: When you take this medicine for a long time, the dose that used to work may no longer seem to be enough. This is what we call tolerance . This is normal, don't worry. Your doctor will adjust the dose as needed.
- Drug tolerance and addiction: When you continue to take this medication, your body gets used to it. So if you stop taking it suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. This does not mean that you are addicted to it. Addiction is when you use a medication without a medical reason. Because you are in pain, that is a medical reason. If the doctor wants to stop the medication, he will gradually reduce the dose.
- Learn about Naloxone: Naloxone is an emergency treatment for opioid overdose. Ask your doctor about this as well.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy or dizzy . Therefore, avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing other tasks that require concentration until you know how this medicine affects you. Avoid getting up or sitting down quickly, especially if you are elderly.
- Alcohol: Avoid alcohol completely while taking this medication.
- Constipation: This is a common side effect of this medication. If you haven't gone to the toilet for 3 days, tell your doctor.
- Dry mouth: If you feel like your mouth is dry, chewing sugar-free gum and drinking plenty of water may help.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Type of side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Central nervous system depression (CNS depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, excessive sleepiness, loss of consciousness. |
| Changes in heart rate | Fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, chest pain. |
| Liver injury | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark yellow/brown urine. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, blurred vision, fainting. |
| Side effects that are usually nothing to worry about (but tell your doctor if they persist) | |
| Common side effects | Constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, nausea, vomiting. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything unusual, talk to your doctor about it.
Take-Home Message
- Buprenorphine is a powerful painkiller injection that is only given in a hospital or clinic for severe pain.
- Before taking this medication, it is imperative that you tell your doctor about all medical conditions you have and all medications you are taking.
- Avoid driving while taking this medication as it may cause drowsiness and dizziness. Avoid drinking alcohol completely.
- If you suspect an overdose, go to an emergency room (ETU) immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share it with anyone else.
- If you have any questions or unusual symptoms, talk to your doctor immediately.
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