Butrans skin patch

Buprenorphine is an opioid pain medication. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic.

The buprenorphine skin patch is for around-the-clock treatment of moderate to severe chronic pain that is not controlled by other medicines. This medicine is not for use on an as-needed basis for pain.

Buprenorphine transdermal may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Buprenorphine can slow or stop your breathing. Never use buprenorphine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

Buprenorphine may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE OF NARCOTIC MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Selling or giving away buprenorphine transdermal is against the law.

The skin patch is for use only on the skin. Do not allow the medicine to come into contact with your eyes, nose, mouth, or lips.

Avoid touching the sticky side of the patch. Wash your hands after applying a skin patch. Do not use a buprenorphine transdermal skin patch if it has been cut or damaged.

Apply the patch only to clean, dry skin. Use only clear water (not soap or other chemicals) to wash the skin before you apply a patch.

Apply the patch to a flat area of the chest, back, side, or outer side of your upper arm. Wear the patch around the clock for 7 days. Never wear more than 1 buprenorphine skin patch at a time unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid sources of heat while you are wearing the patch. Tell your doctor if you have a fever. Do not use a heating pad or electric blanket, tanning bed or sauna. Do not sit in hot water, sunbathe, or raise your body temperature with vigorous activity. Heat can increase the amount of drug you absorb through your skin and may cause an overdose or death.

Remove and replace the patch after 7 days. Apply the new patch to a different skin area on the chest, back, side, or upper arm. After removing a skin patch: fold it in half firmly with the sticky side in, and flush the patch down the toilet or use the Patch-Disposal Unit provided with this medication. Do not place a used skin patch into a trash can. Also dispose of any unused skin patches in the same folded manner when you no longer need this medicine. Do not flush the foil pouch or patch liners; place them in a trash container out of the reach of children and pets.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using buprenorphine.

Store the skin patches at room temperature. Keep each patch in its foil pouch until you are ready to use it. Keep track of how many skin patches have been used from each new package. Buprenorphine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

Keep both used and unused buprenorphine skin patches out of the reach of children or pets. The amount of buprenorphine in a used skin patch could be fatal to a child or pet who accidentally sucks or chews on the patch. Seek emergency medical attention if this happens.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Like other narcotic medicines, buprenorphine can slow your breathing. Death may occur if breathing becomes too weak.

Stop using buprenorphine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• weak or shallow breathing, deep sighs, snoring that is new or unusual;

• chest pain, fast heart rate, seizure (convulsions);

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• blisters, swelling, or severe irritation where the patch was worn;

• adrenal gland problems--nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, feeling weak or tired;

• liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

• low cortisol levels-- nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Common side effects may include:

• constipation, nausea, vomiting;

• headache, dizziness, drowsiness, feeling tired; or

• redness, itching, or rash where the patch was worn.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Use Butrans exactly as prescribed. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Buprenorphine can slow or stop your breathing, especially when you start using this medicine or whenever your dose is changed. Never use Butrans in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

Buprenorphine may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE OF NARCOTIC MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Selling or giving away Butrans is against the law.

The Butrans skin patch contains a high concentration of buprenorphine. Your dose needs may be different if you have recently used a similar opioid (narcotic) pain medicine and your body is tolerant to it.

The Butrans skin patch is for use only on the skin. Do not allow the medicine to come into contact with your eyes, nose, mouth, or lips.

Avoid touching the sticky side of the patch. Wash your hands after applying a skin patch. Do not use a skin patch if it has been cut or damaged.

Apply the Butrans patch only to clean, dry skin. Use only clear water (not soap or other chemicals) to wash the skin before you apply a patch.

Apply the Butrans patch to a flat area of the chest, back, side, or outer side of your upper arm. Wear the patch around the clock for 7 days. Never wear more than 1 skin patch at a time unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid sources of heat while you are wearing the patch. Tell your doctor if you have a fever. Do not use a heating pad or electric blanket, tanning bed or sauna. Do not sit in hot water, sunbathe, or raise your body temperature with vigorous activity. Heat can increase the amount of drug you absorb through your skin and may cause an overdose or death.

Remove and replace the Butrans patch after 7 days. Apply the new patch to a different skin area on the chest, back, side, or upper arm. After removing a skin patch: fold it in half firmly with the sticky side in, and flush the patch down the toilet or use the Patch-Disposal Unit provided with this medication. Do not place a used Butrans skin patch into a trash can. Also dispose of any unused skin patches in the same folded manner when you no longer need this medicine. Do not flush the foil pouch or patch liners; place them in a trash container out of the reach of children and pets.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using Butrans.

Store Butrans skin patches at room temperature. Keep each patch in its foil pouch until you are ready to use it. Keep track of how many skin patches have been used from each new package. Buprenorphine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

Keep both used and unused Butrans skin patches out of the reach of children or pets. The amount of buprenorphine in a used skin patch could be fatal to a child or pet who accidentally sucks or chews on the patch. Seek emergency medical attention if this happens.

Common side effects of Butrans include: constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, and nausea. Other side effects include: fatigue, vomiting, hyperhidrosis, and xerostomia. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.