For pain.
Brand Name(s): Belbuca
Generic Name: Buprenorphine
Instructions
Do not use if the pouch containing the medicine is torn or damaged.
Remove medicine from the foil just before using. Use a clean, dry finger to place the medicine inside your mouth with the yellow side facing against one cheek. Press and hold the medicine in place for 5 seconds and then remove the finger. The medicine should stay in place by itself. Let the medicine dissolve completely.
Do not place the medicine over open sores or lesions.
Do not cut the sheet.
Drink some water to moisten your mouth before using the medicine.
Do not swallow, chew, touch, or move the medicine after placing it on your cheek.
Avoid eating food or drinking liquids until the medicine has dissolved completely.
If your dose is more than 1 sheet, place one sheet on each side of the mouth. Avoid letting the sheets touch each other.
After the medicine has completely dissolved, take a large sip of water and gently swish around your teeth and gums. Swallow the water. This will help prevent problems with your teeth. Do not brush your teeth for at least one hour after using this medicine.
This medicine will work best if you take it at about the same time every day.
Store at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture. Do not keep in the bathroom.
Please ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist how to discard unused medicines safely.
To reduce constipation, eat high fiber foods, drink plenty of water and exercise.
Drug interactions can change how medicines work or increase risk for side effects. Tell your health care providers about all medicines taken. Include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal medicines. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist before starting or stopping any medicine.
Tell your doctor if symptoms do not get better or if they get worse.
Visit your dentist regularly. Proper care of your teeth is very important while taking this medicine. Brush your teeth and floss regularly.
Keep all appointments for medical exams and tests while on this medicine.
Cautions
This medicine has an opioid. Opioids help many people but may cause addiction, especially if used for a long time. The addiction risk is higher if you have a substance use disorder (overuse of or addiction to drugs or alcohol). Ask your doctor about the benefits and risks.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you should have naloxone on hand to treat opioid overdose. Teach your family or household members about the signs of an opioid overdose and how to treat it.
If you stop this medicine suddenly after using it for a long time, you may have withdrawal. Your doctor may slowly lower your dose before stopping it. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms, such as unusual sweating, watering eyes, runny nose, chills, diarrhea, yawning, muscle aches, restlessness, anxiety, trouble sleeping, or thoughts of suicide.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.
Do not use the medication any more than instructed.
If possible, avoid using with alcohol, marijuana, or other medicines that can cause dizziness or drowsiness. These include allergy/cold products, muscle relaxers, sleep aids, and pain relievers.
Your ability to stay alert or to react quickly may be impaired by this medicine. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you.
This medicine passes into breast milk. Ask your doctor before breastfeeding.
This medicine can hurt a new baby in the womb. If you become pregnant while on this medicine, tell your doctor immediately. Your doctor may switch you to a different medicine.
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with breathing difficulties.
Call your doctor right away if you notice slow or shallow breathing.
Do not share this medicine with anyone who has not been prescribed this medicine.
Some patients have serious side effects from this medicine. Ask your pharmacist to show you the information from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and discuss it with you.
Side Effects
The following is a list of some common side effects from this medicine. Please speak with your doctor about what you should do if you experience these or other side effects.
- decreased appetite
- constipation
- dizziness or drowsiness
- headaches
- lightheadedness
- nausea and vomiting
Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you notice any of these more serious side effects:
- decreased awareness or responsiveness
- breathing interruption during sleep
- shallow, irregular breathing
- changes in memory, mood, or thinking
- confusion
- fainting
- hallucinations (unusual thoughts, seeing or hearing things that are not real)
- fast or irregular heart beats
- signs of liver damage (such as yellowing of eye or skin, dark urine, or unusual tiredness)
- irritation of mouth and gum tissue
- seizures
- toothache
- difficulty or discomfort urinating
- weight loss
A few people may have an allergic reaction to this medicine. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, skin rash, itching, swelling, or severe dizziness. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical help quickly.
Please speak with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have any questions about this medicine.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This document tells you briefly how to take your medicine, but it does not tell you all there is to know about it. Your doctor or pharmacist may give you other documents about your medicine. Please talk to them if you have any questions. Always follow their advice.
There is a more complete description of this medicine available in English. Scan this code on your smartphone or tablet or use the web address below. You can also ask your pharmacist for a printout. If you have any questions, please ask your pharmacist.
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More information about BUPRENORPHINE FILM - BUCCAL
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Selected from data included with permission and copyright by First DataBank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.
Conditions of Use: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. The display and use of this drug information is subject to express Terms of Use.
