Proprietary name: Buprenex

Established name: buprenorphine HCI

Route of administration: INTRAVENOUS (C38276), INTRAMUSCULAR (C28161)

Active ingredients (moiety): buprenorphine HCI (buprenorphine)

Buprenex (buprenorphine hydrochloride) is a narcotic under the Controlled Substances Act due to its chemical derivation from thebaine. Chemically, it is 17-(cyclopropylmethyl)-α-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4, 5-epoxy-18,19-dihydro-3-hydroxy-6-methoxy-α-methyl-6, 14- ethenomorphinan-7-methanol, hydrochloride [5α, 7α(S)]. Buprenorphine hydrochloride is a white powder, weakly acidic and with limited solubility in water. Buprenex (buprenorphine) is a clear, sterile, injectable agonist-antagonist analgesic intended for intravenous or intramuscular administration. Each ml of Buprenex contains 0.324 mg buprenorphine hydrochloride (equivalent to 0.3 mg buprenorphine), 50 mg anhydrous dextrose, water for injection and HCI to adjust pH. Buprenorphine hydrochloride has the molecular formula, C₂₉H₄₁NO₄HCI, and the following structure:

Last reviewed on RxList: 4/22/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.