Buprenorphine Therapy

Buprenorphine is a medication designated for the maintenance treatment of opioid dependence in a doctor’s office setting. It is a partial opioid agonist that blocks other opioids from attaching to opioid receptors in the brain. Buprenorphine can help patients stay in treatment by controlling cravings and decreasing withdrawal symptoms. With counseling and support, buprenorphine can be used as a complete treatment plan. Buprenorphine for chronic pain is a safer alternative to traditional opioids with nearly 11 million people per year in the United States have misused prescription pain meds, mostly with Schedule II opioids, hydrocodone and oxycodone.

Buprenorphine works by strongly binding to opioid receptors:

1. When opioids attach to the receptors, dopamine is released, causing pleasurable feelings to be produced.
2. As opioids leave the receptors, pleasurable feelings fade, and withdrawal symptoms begin.
3. Buprenorphine attaches firmly to receptors. At proper doses, buprenorphine fills most receptors and blocks other opioids from attaching.

• Suppresses opioid withdrawal symptoms
• Reducing opioid cravings
• Reducing illicit opioid use
• Blocking the effects of other opioids
• Helping patients stay in treatment