This article describes buprenorphine sublingual tablet’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for buprenorphine.
If you want to know more about buprenorphine sublingual tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, its side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Buprenorphine sublingual tablet is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version. Buprenorphine also comes in injectable and transdermal forms, but these forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about those forms, talk with your doctor.
Buprenorphine sublingual tablet comes as follows:
- Form: sublingual tablet, which you’ll take by placing it under your tongue to dissolve
- Strengths: 2 milligrams (mg), 8 mg
Dosage of buprenorphine
Buprenorphine sublingual tablet treats opioid use disorder (OUD) in adults. It’s part of a treatment plan that includes psychosocial support and counseling.
This article describes the recommended dosage for buprenorphine sublingual tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of buprenorphine sublingual tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosage of buprenorphine in adults
Typically, doctors prescribe buprenorphine sublingual tablet for the induction (starting) phase of OUD treatment. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe it for the maintenance (long-term) phase of your OUD treatment. Maintenance treatment may include buprenorphine alone or buprenorphine with another medication. But your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage that gives the desired outcome.
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a dosage within a recommended range. Your starting dosage will depend on the severity of your opioid withdrawal symptoms.* It will also depend on the dosage of opioids you’ve been taking.
The recommended dosages are:
- Starting dosage: 2–8 milligrams (mg) as a single dose
- Maintenance dosage:† 4–24 mg per day
* Withdrawal means side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug on which your body has become dependent. Dependence means your body needs the drug to function as usual.
† This is the recommended dosage of buprenorphine taken alone for maintenance treatment. If your doctor prescribes buprenorphine with another medication, the dosage may differ.
Dosage adjustments for buprenorphine
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of buprenorphine sublingual tablet based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- other health conditions you may have
- other medications you may take
A dosage adjustment is usually required for people who have severe liver impairment. Similarly, a dosage adjustment is usually required for pregnancy. If either applies to you, your doctor will monitor you for any toxicities or withdrawal symptoms.
Missed dose of buprenorphine
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of buprenorphine sublingual tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of buprenorphine sublingual tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about buprenorphine sublingual tablet and its dosage.
Can buprenorphine sublingual tablet be taken for pain? If so, what’s the dosage?
No, buprenorphine sublingual tablet is not approved to treat pain. It’s approved only to treat opioid dependence, which is also called opioid use disorder.
But buprenorphine also comes in an injectable form and a transdermal patch. Both forms are approved to treat certain types of severe pain. Talk with your doctor to learn more about these forms of buprenorphine and the conditions they treat. If you have pain, you can also discuss how to treat it.
How does the dosage of buprenorphine sublingual tablet compare with the dosage of buprenorphine transdermal patch?
Buprenorphine sublingual tablet and buprenorphine transdermal patch are approved to treat different conditions.
Buprenorphine sublingual tablet treats opioid dependence, which is also called opioid use disorder. Buprenorphine transdermal patch treats certain types of severe pain.
Each of these two forms delivers the drug into your body differently. For this reason, their dosages and approved uses are different.
To learn more about forms of buprenorphine and their dosages, see this article. Talk with your doctor to learn which form is recommended for your condition.
Is buprenorphine taken long term?
It depends. Usually, buprenorphine sublingual tablet is taken for the induction (starting) phase of opioid use disorder. Then, your doctor may prescribe buprenorphine along with naloxone for maintenance (long-term) treatment.
Some people are unable to take naloxone. In these cases, your doctor may prescribe buprenorphine sublingual tablet long term.
You and your doctor can determine whether buprenorphine is safe and effective for your condition. Then you can discuss how long you should take buprenorphine sublingual tablet.
Is there a risk of misuse, dependence, or withdrawal with buprenorphine?
Yes, that risk exists. Buprenorphine is a controlled substance. This means it has the following risks:
- misuse: taking a drug in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it
- dependence: a state when your body needs the drug to function as usual
- withdrawal: side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug on which your body has become dependent
If you take buprenorphine sublingual tablet, it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions. This means you should take your dosage exactly as your doctor prescribes.
If you have questions or concerns about any of these risks, talk with your doctor.
How buprenorphine is taken
If you’re taking buprenorphine sublingual tablet for the induction (starting) phase of opioid use disorder treatment, you’ll take it as a single dose.
Take the tablet without food or drink. You’ll take the tablet by placing it under your tongue and letting it dissolve. Once it dissolves, sip water, swish it gently around your teeth and gums, and then swallow it. Following your dose, do not brush your teeth for at least 1 hour.
If your dosage requires more than one tablet, take them both at the same time. Do not chew, break, cut, or swallow the tablets whole.
You’ll take your first dose once you start having withdrawal symptoms after stopping opioids. Usually, your first dose should be at least 4 hours after you last took a short-acting opioid drug, such as heroin. Also, your first dose should be taken 24 hours or more after taking a long-acting opioid, such as methadone.
You’ll likely receive your induction doses of buprenorphine sublingual tablet in your doctor’s office. Based on your response to the first dose, your doctor may increase your dosage the following day.
Afterward, buprenorphine is usually taken along with naloxone for maintenance (long-term) treatment. But sometimes buprenorphine sublingual tablet is taken alone.
For maintenance treatment, you and your doctor will discuss where to take your doses. You might agree to take your doses at your doctor’s office. Or you might feel ready to take them at home by yourself.
Your doctor may advise that you take buprenorphine sublingual tablet around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
Buprenorphine coupon
Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for buprenorphine when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
Overdose of buprenorphine
It’s important that you do not take more buprenorphine sublingual tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of buprenorphine overdose
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
In extreme cases or if left untreated, overdose may lead to death.
What to do if you take too much buprenorphine
If you think you’ve taken too much buprenorphine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for buprenorphine sublingual tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of buprenorphine sublingual tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take buprenorphine sublingual tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Will my risk of dependence increase with higher dosages of buprenorphine sublingual tablet?
- Will my dosage of buprenorphine sublingual tablet change if I have liver or kidney problems?
- Will my dosage of buprenorphine sublingual tablet change if I’m also prescribed naloxone for maintenance treatment?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
