Information Relating To Buprenorphine Memphis Patients Should Have

By Virginia Russell


Opioids are narcotics that are used for managing moderate to severe forms of pain. They are prescription only drugs in many countries. They are associated with dependence and are strongly addictive. They tend to be abused within and outside hospitals and stopping their use almost always leads to withdrawal symptoms. Buprenorphine is a drug that can be used for managing these symptoms. If they wish to start taking buprenorphine Memphis residents should know a few things about the drug.

This drug belongs to the agonist-antagonist class of opioids. What this means is that it has the ability to stimulate or inhibit the opioid receptors resulting in potentially opposite actions. If it is being used for withdrawal management, it works best if combined with other forms of rehabilitation such as counselling and behaviour modification.

Other than its use in the management of withdrawal symptoms, the molecule is a strong analgesic agents just like the ordinary opioids. It is commonly used for the management of acute and chronic pain. The formulations that are available in the market include a skin patch a tablet and an injection. The route to be used is largely dependent on the underlying diagnosis.

If you have been given the drug to used at home, it is important that you first familiarize yourself with the medication guide provided by the pharmacist. This will not only help you know about how it should be administered, but it also lets you know about the associated side effects. If in doubt, ensure that you consult your doctor or pharmacist.

The drug is available as a tablet for use in managing withdrawal symptoms that is administered through the sublingual route. This means that it is placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve slowly over time. The dissolution should be completed in between five and ten minutes. The dosage of drug depends on the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. An injection to be used once a month for the management of these symptoms is awaiting approval in the United States.

Following the instructions issued by the doctor is important for the drugs to achieve their effect. Swallowing the tablet instead of taking it sublingually will make it ineffective. Making it a suspension and injecting it into a vein is equally not helpful. In fact, this tends to worsen the withdrawal symptoms and is therefore, strongly discouraged.

The use of buprenorphine should only be considered when the withdrawal symptoms set in and not earlier. It is usually started within two days of stopping opioid use. Beyond that a form that is combined with naloxone is prescribed so as to discourage then use of the drug as an injection.

Plain buprenorphine is recommended for use in the first two days after the cessation of opioid use. It should preferably be started when the first signs and symptoms of withdrawal begin to show. After the two-day treatment, the doctor will transition you to a combination of the drug with naloxone to be used as maintenance therapy.




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