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In this Article

• What is buprenorphine injection (Buprenex)?
• What are the possible side effects of buprenorphine injection (Buprenex)?
• What is the most important information I should know about buprenorphine injection (Buprenex)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving buprenorphine injection (Buprenex)?
• How is buprenorphine injection given (Buprenex)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Buprenex)?
• What happens if I overdose (Buprenex)?
• What should I avoid while receiving buprenorphine injection (Buprenex)?
• What other drugs will affect buprenorphine injection (Buprenex)?
• Where can I get more information?

What happens if I miss a dose (Buprenex)?

Since buprenorphine injection is usually given by a healthcare provider, it is unlikely that you will miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose (Buprenex)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of buprenorphine injection can be fatal.

Symptoms of a buprenorphine overdose may include slowed breathing, extreme weakness, cold or clammy skin, small pupils, fainting, and coma.

What should I avoid while receiving buprenorphine injection (Buprenex)?

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by buprenorphine injection.

Using buprenorphine injection together with other drugs that cause drowsiness can slow the functions of your breathing and central nervous system to dangerous levels. These effects could result in a fatal overdose.

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of buprenorphine injection. Using too much of this medicine in addition to drinking alcohol can cause death.

Buprenorphine injection can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

What other drugs will affect buprenorphine injection (Buprenex)?

Before receiving buprenorphine injection, tell your doctor if you use any of the following drugs:

• an antifungal antibiotic such as fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), or voriconazole (Vfend);
• an antibacterial antibiotic such as azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or telithromycin (Ketek);
• HIV medication such as nevirapine (Viramune), delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva), indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase), or nelfinavir (Viracept);
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);
• a sedative such as diazepam (Valium), midazolam (Versed), alprazolam (Xanax) lorazepam (Ativan), clorazepate (Tranxene), triazolam (Halcion), flurazepam (Dalmane), or temazepam (Restoril); or
• seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), and others.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to receive buprenorphine injection, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect buprenorphine injection. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has information about buprenorphine injection written for health professionals that you may read.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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