Buprenorphine

Trade Names: BuTrans, Sublocade, Subutex

Uses

  • Management of severe and persistent pain
  • Management treatment of moderate to severe opioid use disorder
  • Opioid withdrawal in heroin-dependent hospitalized patients
  • Perineural anesthesia

Adverse Effects

Considerations for PT

  1. Consider timing for pain relief prior to Physiotherapy intervention Consider timing for pain relief prior to Physiotherapy intervention

Route of Administration

  1. Buccal filmBuccal film
  2. Intramuscular (IM)Intramuscular (IM)
  3. Intravenous (IV)Intravenous (IV)
  4. SubcutaneousSubcutaneous
  5. SublingualSublingual
  6. TransdermalTransdermal

Mechanism of Action

Binds to specific opioid receptors in the central nervous system (partial agonist at mu-opioid receptors and antagonist at kappa-opioid receptors), causing:

  • Relief of withdrawal and cravings in individuals with opioid dependence
  • Inhibition of ascending pain pathways
  • Alteration of pain perception and response to pain

Drug Dynamics

Time to Peak Effect

1 hour to 4 hours

Duration of Action

12 hours

Time to Onset

30 minutes to 60 minutes

Resources

*Some links accessed via VCH Intranet

Last updated: April 30, 2026