Buprenorphine (Subutex)

Buprenorphine is an opioid used to treat opioid use disorder, acute pain, and chronic pain. It can be used under the tongue (sublingual), in the cheek (buccal), by injection (intravenous), as a skin patch (transdermal), or as an implant.

This drug is a long-acting opioid. Generic buprenorphine comes in a sublingual tablet, transdermal patch, and injectable solution. The generic and brand-name injectable solutions are only given by a healthcare provider.

Examples of brand-name buprenorphine products include:

• Belbuca, a buccal film
• Probuphine, an intradermal implant
• Butrans, a transdermal patch
• Buprenex, an injectable solution

Some forms are used for chronic pain that requires around-the-clock treatment. Other forms of it are available to treat opioid dependence.