Buprenorphine (Buprenex®)
By: Dr. Dawn Ruben

Overview

Buprenorphine is a synthetic opiate that binds to opiate receptors and stimulates them. It is similar to one of the original opiates, morphine.

Opiates are a class of drugs originally derived from the poppy flower. When comparing potency, opiates are compared to morphine.

Buprenorphine is 30 times as potent as morphine and does not result in the negative gastrointestinal effects typically associated with morphine.

Buprenorphine is rapidly absorbed after injection and the effects are usually felt within 15 to 30 minutes, lasting about 8 hours.

This drug is a narcotic with potential for abuse and misuse. For this reason, it controlled by the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Buprenorphine is a prescription drug and can only be obtained from a veterinarian or by prescription from a veterinarian.

This drug is not approved for use in animals by the Food and Drug Administration but it is prescribed legally by veterinarians as an extra-label drug.

Brand Names or Other Names

This drug is registered for use in humans only.

Human formulations: Buprenex® (Reckitt & Colman)

Veterinary formulations: None

Uses of Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is used for pain relief in dogs and cats. For more information about pain, please see Pain in Dogs and Pain in Cats.

Precautions and Side Effects

While generally safe and effective when prescribed by a veterinarian, buprenorphine can cause side effects in some animals.

Buprenorphine should not be used in animals with known hypersensitivity or allergy to the drug.

The drug should be avoided in animals with kidney disease, underactive thyroid gland and Addison's disease.

Buprenorphine should be used with caution in animals with head trauma, compromised cardiovascular function and geriatric or severely debilitated animals.

Since it is metabolized by the liver, buprenorphine should be used with caution in animals with liver disease.

Buprenorphine may interact with other medications. Consult with your veterinarian to determine if other drugs your pet is receiving could interact with buprenorphine. Such drugs include certain antihistamines, tranquilizers, barbiturates and monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

In rare cases, buprenorphine can slow breathing, as with other opiates.

The most common side effect of buprenorphine is sedation.

Due to a high index of safety, overdose is rare.

How Buprenorphine is Supplied

Buprenorphine is available in 0.3 mg/ml concentration 1 milliliter ampules.

Dosing Information

Medication should never be administered without first consulting your veterinarian. This medication is almost always administered in the hospital but it may be sent home under special circumstances.

The typical dose administered to dogs and cats is 0.005 to 0.01 mg per pound (0.01 to 0.02 mg/kg) intravenous or intramuscular two to four times per day. This dose can also be given orally.

The duration of administration depends on the condition being treated, response to the medication and the development of any adverse effects.

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