Buprenorphine:Aprescriptionmedicationfor people addicted toheroinor other opiates that acts by relieving the symptoms ofopiatewithdrawal such as agitation, nausea and insomnia.Buprenorphineis more weakly addictive and has a lower risk of overdose thanmethadone. The effects last for about three days.
Buprenorphine is sold under the brand name ofSubutexand,incombination withnaloxone, asSuboxone. Subutex is intended for use at the beginning of treatment while Suboxone is intended for the maintenance treatment of opiate addiction. (Naloxone was added to guard againstintravenousabuse of buprenorphine by individuals physically dependent on opiates.)
Theside effectsof buprenorphine include cold orflu-like symptoms, headaches,sweating,睡眠困难ies, nausea, and mood swings. Buprenorphine can cause dangerously diminished breathing, especially when used in combination withalcoholor othercentral nervous systemdepressants.
