Butrans
(buprenorphine)
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Treats severe pain around the clock.
Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.
Download Fact SheetDownload Fact Sheet
Prescription opioids are used to treat several kinds of pain - but they carry significant risks, including addiction. Learn more about these drugs and be sure to discuss the risks with your doctor.
Our bottom line
Butrans (buprenorphine) is effective for treating severe pain around-the-clock, but it has a high potential for abuse and misuse.
Lowest price near you
- Price before coupon$391.50
- Lowest price with coupon$70.8782% savings
Quick facts about Butrans
- Drug class: Pain
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (buprenorphine)
Upsides
- Butrans (buprenorphine) comes in a patch form and only needs to be changed once every 7 days.
- Butrans (buprenorphine) works around-the-clock to help relieve pain.
- The Butrans (buprenorphine) patch can be applied on up to 8 different areas of the body.
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What to expect from Butrans, on one page
Download Fact SheetTried Butrans? Write a review!
Downsides
- Butrans (buprenorphine) takes about half a day to start kicking in.
- Butrans (buprenorphine) has a high potential for misuse and abuse.
- Butrans (buprenorphine) can cause life-threatening breathing problems, even when used at the correct dose.
- Older people shouldn't take Butrans (buprenorphine) due to its effects on blood pressure.
- Other pain relievers may be needed for breakthrough pain.
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Get our free fact sheet
What to expect from Butrans, on one page
Download Fact SheetHow it works
Butrans (buprenorphine) is an opioid that provides pain relief by acting on specific receptors in your brain.
Quick facts about Butrans
- Drug class: Pain
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (buprenorphine)
Used for
- Pain management
Dosage forms
- Patch
Tried Butrans? Write a review!
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.Prices and coupons for 60 (8mg) sublinguals of buprenorphine near
- CostcoGet free coupon$73.86
- AlbertsonsGet free coupon$74.90
Sign up now for a 30-day trial and save up to 95% at CVS, Kroger, Albertsons, and other pharmacies.
Learn more
See more prices and coupons in your areaWhat to expect when you take Butrans (buprenorphine) for Persistent moderate to severe pain
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Nausea
- Application site itchiness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Sleepiness
- Constipation
Side effect rates for Butrans (buprenorphine)
From 653 clinical trials of Butrans when taken for persistent moderate to severe pain
- Nausea21%21%6%6%
- Application site itchiness15%15%12%12%
- Dizziness15%15%7%7%
- Headache14%14%9%9%
- Sleepiness13%13%4%4%
- Constipation13%13%5%5%
- Vomiting9%9%1%1%
- Application site redness7%7%2%2%
- Application site rash6%6%6%6%
- Dry mouth6%6%2%2%
- Tiredness5%5%1%1%
- Excessive sweating4%4%1%1%
- Accumulation of fluid in arms and legs3%3%1%1%
- Itching3%3%
- Stomach discomfort2%2%
0%
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Where we got our data »
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Butrans.
Butrans (buprenorphine)
Placebo
People taking Butrans felt side effect more
People taking Butrans felt side effect less
No difference
Risks and Warnings for Butrans (buprenorphine)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Personal or family history of substance abuse
- › History of mental illness
Butrans (buprenorphine) has a high potential for abuse, misuse, or addiction, which can lead to complications such as overdose and death. A person can become addicted to it even at normal doses. Do not place Butrans (buprenorphine) in your mouth. Chewing or swallowing it might lead to a higher chance of choking and overdosing. Your doctor will determine if this is the right treatment option for you based on your history of drug use and medication taking habits.
This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.
Means that some groups have a high risk of experiencing this side effect
Pharmacist Q&A
Butrans (buprenorphine) questions for
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this drug for?
This medication treats moderate to severe chronic pain.Common concerns from people taking Butrans (buprenorphine)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?Pain
- Your doctor may have you continue to take oral pain relievers, while Butrans (buprenorphine) is kicking in. Do not stop Butrans (buprenorphine) until discussing with your doctor.
- Other pain relievers may be needed for breakthrough pain.
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed buprenorphineon 5/14/2019I was in so much pain for ten months that I tried suicide. They took away my OxyContin/Oxycodone and a month later I started Buprenorphine (10mg). I COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW WELL MY INTENSE, 24/7 PAIN BECAME MANAGEABLE!! I still need Gabapentin, acetaminophen, and ibuprophen along with it, but that's fine with me. I am able to go for walks, concentrate, laugh again, help my elderly mother a little, and even go shopping on my own if I am careful and slow. THANK GOD!!!!!!48WomanA year or soPain management
- Not worth itBig hassleReviewed Butranson 10/12/2017Stay away from this. The withdrawal took 2 weeks of pain and sweating. Very uncomfortable.43WomanA few monthsPain management
Sleep
- Butrans (buprenorphine) should not be taken with certain medications used for sleep, anxiety, muscle relaxation, and other opioids since they can all build up drowsiness. In more severe cases, your breathing could be slowed down so much that it becomes life-threatening. Talk to your doctor before you start taking any other new medications.
- Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medicines that can cause drowsiness.
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed buprenorphineon 6/13/2019If u have sleeping issues, it could be problematic.44WomanTwo years or moreWould rather not say