Answers by TheMediTary.Com - Last updated: 12-Jul-2023
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist used to treat opioid use disorder and severe pain. It is available in a number of dosage forms under the brand names Belbuca, Brixadi, Buprenex, Butrans, Probuphine (discontinued), Sublocade, and Subutex (discontinued).
Buprenorphine was first approved for medical use in the United States in 1981. It belongs to the class of drugs called narcotic analgesics and is listed under Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) due to its potential for abuse.
Buprenorphine Formulations Available in the United States
| Brand | Dosage Form | Administration | Use | Company | Approved | Generic Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brixadi | extended release injection (subcutaneous) |
every week or every month |
opioid use disorder | Braeburn Inc. | 2023 | No |
| Sublocade | extended release injection (subcutaneous) | every month | opioid use disorder | Indivior Inc. | 2017 | No |
|
Probuphine |
implant (subdermal) | every six months | opioid dependence | Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 2016 | No |
| Belbuca | buccal film | once daily or every 12 hours | severe pain | BioDelivery Sciences International Inc. | 2015 | No |
| Butrans | transdermal system | every seven days | severe pain | Purdue Pharma LP | 2010 | Yes |
|
Subutex (discontinued) |
sublingual tablets | once daily | opioid dependence | Indivior Inc. | 2002 | Yes |
| Buprenex | injection (intravenous or intramuscular) | every 6 hours | severe pain | Indivior Inc. | 1981 | Yes |