Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is a synthetic opioid developed in the late 1960s and is used to treat pain and opioid use disorder. This drug is a synthetic analog of thebaine—an alkaloid compound derived from the poppy flower. Buprenorphine is categorized as a Schedule III drug, which means it has a moderate-to-low potential for physical dependence or a high potential for psychological dependence. Buprenorphine is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat acute and chronic pain and opioid dependence. This drug is used in agonist substitution treatment—a method for addressing addiction by substituting a more potent full agonist opioid, such as heroin, with a less potent opioid, such as buprenorphine or methadone. This activity reviews the FDA-approved indications, mechanism of action, administration, adverse event profile, toxicity, and drug interactions. This activity aims to empower healthcare professionals, working collaboratively within an interprofessional team, with essential knowledge and tools for optimal patient care during buprenorphine administration, enabling informed decision-making, dosage optimization, and minimizing adverse reactions to improve patient outcomes.