This article describes Belbuca’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Belbuca. If you want to know more about Belbuca, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Belbuca is a brand-name medication that comes as a thin film that dissolves on your cheek. It isn’t available in a generic version.
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Boxed warnings
This drug has boxed warnings for several different risks. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The boxed warnings are for the risk of:
- misuse and addiction
- serious respiratory depression
- accidental exposure
- serious effects if taken with certain other medications
- neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS)
See the end of this article for more information about these warnings.
Form and strengths of Belbuca
Belbuca comes as follows:
- Form: buccal film, which you’ll place on the inside of your cheek for it to dissolve
- Strengths: 75 micrograms (mcg), 150 mcg, 300 mcg, 450 mcg, 600 mcg, 750 mcg, 900 mcg
Dosage of Belbuca
This article describes the recommended dosages for Belbuca. 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 Belbuca without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of Belbuca in adults
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of Belbuca, called a starting dosage. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of Belbuca that gives the desired outcome.
Your starting dosage will depend on how severe your pain is, what other treatments you’ve tried, and your risk factors for addiction, abuse, and misuse of opioids. Your doctor may increase your dosage after you’ve taken your current dosage for at least 4 days.
| Purpose | Starting dosage | Maintenance dosage | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pain management for people new to opioids or who do not tolerate opioids well | 75 mcg once daily or every 12 hours for at least 4 days | 150 mcg to 450 mcg every 12 hours | 450 mcg every 12 hours |
| Pain management for people who are currently taking a different opioid | 75 mcg once daily or 75 mcg to 300 mcg every 12 hours | 75 mcg to 900 mcg every 12 hours | 900 mcg every 12 hours |
Dosage adjustments for Belbuca
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of Belbuca based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your medication history
- your age
- your kidney and liver function
- other health conditions you may have
Missed dose of Belbuca
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of Belbuca. 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 Belbuca 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 Belbuca and its dosage.
How does the dosage of Belbuca compare with the dosage of Suboxone?
Belbuca and Suboxone are used for different reasons. Belbuca is used as a long-term treatment option for severe pain. Suboxone is used to help manage opioid dependence.
Suboxone is a sublingual tablet, meaning you place it under your tongue. Belbuca is a buccal film which dissolves on the inside of your cheek. Belbuca is taken one or twice per day, while Suboxone is taken only once per day.
The dosages of Suboxone and Belbuca are very different and will depend on several individual factors. Talk with your doctor for more information about how the dosage of Belbuca compares with the dosage of Suboxone.
Can Belbuca buccal film be cut in half?
No, you should not cut the Belbuca film in half. Belbuca is available in many different strengths. It’s important to use the strength and dosage your doctor prescribes.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about the strength or dosage of Belbuca that’s right for you.
Is Belbuca taken long term?
Yes, doctors typically prescribe Belbuca as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
If you have questions about how long you should take Belbuca, talk with your doctor.
How Belbuca is taken
You’ll place the Belbuca film on the inside of your cheek once or twice per day.
After opening the foil package, use the entire buccal film right away. Do not use the buccal film if it has been cut or damaged.
Wet the inside of your cheek with your tongue or by swishing some water in your mouth. Using a dry finger, place the buccal film against the inside of your cheek, making sure the yellow side is against your cheek. Press and hold it there for 5 seconds.
Once the buccal film is placed on your cheek, do not touch or move it with your tongue or finger. It should take about 30 minutes to fully dissolve. Once it has fully dissolved, rinse your mouth with water and swallow.
Do not eat or drink anything until it is fully dissolved. Do not swallow or chew the buccal film. Wait at least 1 hour before brushing your teeth.
Make sure you carefully follow the directions on the Belbuca package when using the buccal film.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
Belbuca coupon
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Get free cardOverdose of Belbuca
It’s important that you do not take more Belbuca than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of Belbuca overdose
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
- respiratory depression (slow, shallow breathing)
- extreme sleepiness that can lead to a coma
- cold, clammy skin
- constricted (small) pupils
- muscle paralysis
What to do if you take too much Belbuca
If you think you’ve taken too much Belbuca, 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 Belbuca. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of Belbuca without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take Belbuca 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:
- How will you determine what dosage of Belbuca is right for me?
- How will I know if the Belbuca dosage is effectively controlling my pain?
- How long will I need to take Belbuca?
Boxed warnings for Belbuca
This drug has boxed warnings about several risks. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The boxed warnings include risks of:
- misuse and addiction
- serious respiratory depression
- accidental exposure
- serious effects if taken with certain other medications
- NOWS
Risk of misuse and addiction: Belbuca has a risk of misuse and addiction. With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed. With addiction, a drug is taken even if doing so is causing harm.
Possible complications of misuse and addiction are overdose and death. For this reason, your doctor will monitor you closely while you’re taking this medication.
To reduce the risk of misuse, addiction, overdose, and death, take Belbuca exactly as your doctor prescribes.
Risk of serious respiratory depression: Belbuca may cause serious, life threatening, or even fatal respiratory depression (slowed breathing). This risk is highest when you first start taking Belbuca or when the dosage is increased. For this reason, your doctor will increase your dosage slowly and monitor you carefully.
Risk of accidental exposure: Accidental exposure to even one dose of Belbuca, especially in children, can cause a fatal overdose. Keep Belbuca in a safe place, out of reach of children, and only take Belbuca if it was prescribed for you.
Risk of serious effects if taken with certain other medications: Using Belbuca with benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants can increase the risk of extreme sleepiness, slowed breathing, coma, or death. Only use Belbuca if other pain management treatments haven’t worked.
Because of these risks, tell your doctor about any medications that you take or plan to start taking. These include prescription as well as any over-the-counter drugs.
Risk of NOWS: Taking Belbuca for a long period of time during pregnancy can increase the risk of NOWS in a newborn. This is a serious problem for infants and can be fatal.
Because of this risk, doctors usually won’t prescribe Belbuca during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you’re prescribed Belbuca during pregnancy, your doctor will monitor your newborn. They’ll watch for symptoms of NOWS and treat the infant as needed.
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.