Buprenorphine
What is buprenorphine?
(byoo-preh-NOR-feen)
Buprenorphine is a common prescription drug used in the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). It is a partial opioid agonist, meaning it binds tightly to the brain’s opioid receptors but only partially activates them. Because it has a ceiling effect that limits the sense of euphoria and impact on breathing, it’s less likely to be misused. These unique properties mean it can alleviate withdrawal symptoms and cravings without causing the intense effects associated with opioids.
Historical context
Buprenorphine first received FDA approval for OUD in 2002 and is one of only three FDA-approved medications for the treatment of OUD ever since. Before the introduction of buprenorphine, methadone was the most common medication for such treatments.
Comparisons between buprenorphine vs. methadone show that both are effective1. Buprenorphine treatment is now more common thanks to the drug’s relative safety as a partial opioid agonist and the ability to prescribe in-office for home use.
How buprenorphine works
Much like any other opioid, buprenorphine works by activating the brain’s opioid receptors, or mu receptors, though only partially compared to full agonists. This satisfies a person’s cravings for opioids without causing the typical side effects, making it a safer option in case of overdose.
Buprenorphine’s side effects mirror those of other opioids but are milder. While patients may experience constipation, drowsiness, and nausea, they’re less likely to experience the same levels of anxiety and depression2.
Why buprenorphine is used
Compared to methadone, buprenorphine is considered safer and has a lower potential for risk, harm, and abuse1. It’s useful in curbing cravings and managing the symptoms of withdrawal. Buprenorphine withdrawal is not significantly different from general opioid withdrawal, and it still produces uncomfortable side effects. Buprenorphine use should not be discontinued suddenly to prevent or lessen the impact of withdrawal symptoms; tapering off should only be done under the guidance and supervision of a medical professional.
Buprenorphin is also available in several different formulations, making it a flexible drug to suit different patients’ needs. In addition to being used to treat opioid use disorder, the medication is FDA-approved to alleviate acute pain and moderate to severe chronic pain when other drugs have not worked3.
How to access buprenorphine treatment
There are two main ways to receive buprenorphine treatment for OUD from a licensed clinician: in person and online. Here at Ophelia, we offer fully remote buprenorphine services that are discrete and tailored to the individual to achieve a higher rate of success. Every phase, from introduction and induction to maintenance, can be done over a video visit, making Ophelia’s service accessible and flexible.
Explore treatment options with a free welcome call.
Common forms of buprenorphine
Medical formulations
Buprenorphine comes in several different forms, including sublingual film, sublingual tablet, and injections. Each of these forms come in a range of dosages to suit various patients’ needs4.
Common brand names
Suboxone® (important safety information) is perhaps the most common form of buprenorphine used today. It is a combination drug that includes both buprenorphine and naloxone. Suboxone comes in both a sublingual tablet and a sublingual film. Zubsolv® is another brand of buprenorphine-naloxone available as a sublingual tablet.
Subutex® contains only buprenorphine and is taken as a sublingual tablet. Please note that Ophelia does not prescribe Subutex.
Sublocade® and Brixadi® are injectable forms of buprenorphine that must always be administered by a medical professional in a controlled setting.
Street names
Buprenorphine may also be referred to as “bupe,” though it doesn’t have any other widely used names.
Learn more about buprenorphine
Buprenorphine topics
- Does Medicaid cover Suboxone?
- Suboxone and oral health
- Buprenorphine’s sexual side effects in men
- 5 Questions women have before starting Suboxone
Related terms
- MAT: Medications for addiction treatment; the gold standard for OUD treatment
- Naloxone: an opioid antagonist that can be used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose
- Sublocade: a name-brand formulation of buprenorphine sold in an injectable form
- Suboxone: a common name-brand prescription consisting of both buprenorphine and naloxone
- Subutex: a name-brand formulation of buprenorphine sold as a sublingual tablet
Sources
- Wakeman, S. (5 February 2020). Comparative Effectiveness of Different Treatment Pathways for Opioid Use Disorder. JAMA NETWORK OPEN. Retrieved May 13, 2025, from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2760032
- Pergolizzi, Jr., JV and Raffa RB. (1 November 2019). Safety And Efficacy Of The Unique Opioid Buprenorphine For The Treatment Of Chronic Pain. Journal of Pain Research. Retrieved June 13, 2025, from https://www.dovepress.com/safety-and-efficacy-of-the-unique-opioid-buprenorphine-for-the-treatme-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JPR
- Puckey, M. (5 March 2025). Buprenorphine. Drugs.com. Retrieved May 13, 2025, from https://www.drugs.com/buprenorphine.html
- Gragnolati, A. and Pinto-Garcia, P. (5 March 2024). Buprenorphine Dosages for Adults: Your GoodRx Guide. GoodRx. Retrieved May 13, 2025, from https://www.goodrx.com/buprenorphine/dosage
Treatment that works is right at your fingertips.
Get started
We, and our third-party partners, use cookies, and other technologies to automatically collect, record, and share information you provide, as well as information about your interactions with, our site for ad targeting, analytics, personalization, and site functionality purposes. By continuing to use this site, you agree to the use of these technologies (as described in our Privacy Policy) and our Terms of Use (which contains important waivers).