What is Belbuca?
Belbuca is a prescription medication used to treat moderate to severe pain. It is a long-acting opioid medication that is available in a patch form. The medication is designed to be worn on the skin for up to 72 hours. Belbuca is a Schedule II controlled substance and is only available through a prescription from a healthcare provider.
The medication works by binding to the mu-opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This action helps to decrease the perception of pain. Belbuca is typically used to treat chronic pain that is not responsive to other forms of treatment. The medication should only be used when other pain medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, have not been effective.
Belbuca is available in a film form that is placed on the inside of the cheek. The film dissolves quickly and is absorbed through the mucous membranes. The medication should not be swallowed or chewed. It is important to drink plenty of fluids when taking Belbuca to avoid constipation.
The most common side effects of Belbuca include nausea, vomiting, and constipation. These side effects typically resolve within a few days of starting the medication. More serious side effects are rare but can include respiratory depression and addiction.
Belbuca should be used with caution in patients with a history of substance abuse. The medication carries a risk of addiction and abuse. Patients should be closely monitored by their healthcare provider for signs of abuse or addiction.
Belbuca is a safe and effective medication when used as directed. It is important to follow the instructions of your healthcare provider. Belbuca can cause serious side effects when used improperly.
How is Belbuca Different from Other Medications?
Buprenorphine is a medication that is used to treat opioid addiction. It is a partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor, which means that it activates the receptor to a lesser degree than other opioids such as heroin or oxycodone. Buprenorphine is used to treat opioid addiction because it can reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings while also preventing the person from getting high if they use opioids.
Belbuca is a buprenorphine patch that is placed on the inside of the cheek. It is a long-acting form of buprenorphine that provides continuous release of the medication over a period of 24 hours. Belbuca is used to treat opioid addiction because it can reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings while also preventing the person from getting high if they use opioids.
One of the main differences between Belbuca and other buprenorphine products is that Belbuca is a long-acting formulation. This means that the medication is released slowly over a period of 24 hours, which provides a more continuous level of medication in the body. This can be beneficial for people who are trying to avoid withdrawal symptoms or who have a difficult time sticking to a daily dosing schedule. Another difference between Belbuca and other buprenorphine products is that Belbuca is a buccal formulation, which means that it is absorbed through the lining of the cheek. This can be beneficial for people who have trouble swallowing pills or who have gastrointestinal issues that make it difficult to absorb medications through the digestive system.
Belbuca has some advantages over other buprenorphine products. The long-acting formulation can provide a more continuous level of medication in the body, which can be helpful for people who are trying to avoid withdrawal symptoms or who have a difficult time sticking to a daily dosing schedule. The buccal formulation can be helpful for people who have trouble swallowing pills or who have gastrointestinal issues that make it difficult to absorb medications through the digestive system.
There are some potential disadvantages of Belbuca that should be considered. The long-acting formulation can make it more difficult to titrate the dose, and it may take longer for the medication to reach its full effect. The buccal formulation can also make it more difficult to titrate the dose and may cause local irritation. Belbuca should not be used in people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Overall, Belbuca is a safe and effective medication for the treatment of opioid addiction. It has some advantages over other buprenorphine products, but there are also some potential disadvantages that should be considered. If you are considering Belbuca for the treatment of opioid addiction, talk to your doctor about the potential risks and benefits.
How to Use Belbuca
If you are a patient prescribed Belbuca, it is important that you understand how to use the drug correctly and safely. This information should not be considered a substitute for medical advice from your health care provider. Always follow your health care provider’s instructions.
Belbuca is a Schedule II controlled substance and is a strong opioid medicine used to treat moderate to severe pain. It is a long-acting medicine, which means that the effects can last for 12 hours or more. Belbuca is available as a buccal film, which dissolves in your mouth.
Belbuca should be used only as prescribed by your health care provider. Do not use more of it, take it more often, or take it for a longer time than directed by your health care provider. Taking too much of this medicine can lead to overdose, which could result in death.
If you miss a dose of Belbuca, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Just take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.
Belbuca can be habit-forming. Misuse or abuse of this drug can lead to overdose and death. Store Belbuca in a safe place so that no one else can take it accidentally or on purpose.
Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Belbuca is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.
Belbuca may cause serious or life-threatening side effects. Some of these side effects can increase the risk of death. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects:
• slow or shallow breathing
• a slow heart rate
• feeling light-headed, dizzy, or faint
• confusion
• extreme drowsiness
• slowed reflexes
• cold, clammy skin
• muscle weakness
• paralysis
• seizures
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction:
• hives
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
Call your health care provider right away if you have any of these serious side effects:
• shallow breathing
• a slow heart rate
• feeling light-headed, dizzy, or faint
• confusion
• extreme drowsiness
• slowed reflexes
• cold, clammy skin
• muscle weakness
• paralysis
• seizures
Call your health care provider at once if you have any of these less serious side effects:
• nausea
• vomiting
• constipation
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• dry mouth
• headache
• dizziness
• sweating
• flushing
• itching
• rash
• blurred vision
• sleep problems (insomnia)
• unusual dreams
• anxiety
• nervousness
• mood changes
• mild drowsiness
• mild stomach pain
• increased urination
• mild headache
• back pain
• weakness
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.
You should not use Belbuca if you are allergic to buprenorphine or naloxone.
To make sure Belbuca is safe for you, tell your health care provider if you have ever had:
• a head injury or brain tumor
• a seizure
• liver disease
• kidney disease
• problems with your gallbladder, pancreas, or thyroid
• Addison’s disease
• low blood pressure
• a history of alcoholism or drug addiction
• mental illness
• a history of depression or suicidal thoughts
• a history of head trauma
• a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome
• if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Some medicines can interact with buprenorphine and naloxone and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Be sure your health care provider knows if you also take medicine for:
• depression, mental illness, or psychiatric disorders
+• migraine headaches
+• serious infections
+• nausea and vomiting
+• pain
+• seizures (convulsions)
+• tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) blockers
+• the liver disease hepatitis C
Tell your health care provider about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
• any other opioid medicine for pain
+• buprenorphine
+• naltrexone
+• medicine to treat mental illness or mood disorders, such as aripiprazole, quetiapine, and risperidone
+• medicine to treat nausea and vomiting
+• medicine to treat Parkinson’s disease, such as carbidopa, levodopa, and entacapone
+• medicine to treat seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, and valproic acid
+• rifampin
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with buprenorphine and naloxone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Belbuca may be habit-forming, and this medicine is a drug of abuse. Tell your health care provider if you have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs.
Do not drink alcohol while you are using Belbuca. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.
Belbuca Buccal Film should be used as part of a complete treatment program that also includes counseling and psychosocial support.
Buprenorphine can pass into breast milk and may cause drowsiness, breathing problems, or death in a nursing baby. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding.
Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. Buprenorphine can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn if the mother has taken this medicine during pregnancy.
Do not breastfeed while using this medicine.
This medicine can interact with certain laboratory tests and cause false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
Belbuca is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take Belbuca?
Take Belbuca exactly as prescribed by your health care provider. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Belbuca is available as a buccal film, which dissolves in your mouth.
The film should be placed between your cheek and gum and allowed to dissolve completely, which should take about 15 minutes. Do not chew or swallow the film.
To prevent sleepiness, take your first dose of Belbuca with food.
Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.
If you cannot swallow a tablet whole, you may place the tablet in 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of water, apple juice, or cherry syrup. Do not use any other type of liquid. Stir this mixture and drink all of it right away. To make sure you get the entire dose, add a little more water to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.
Belbuca is usually taken every 12 hours. Follow your health care provider’s instructions.
Do not stop using Belbuca suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your health care provider how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using buprenorphine and naloxone.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Belbuca is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.
Belbuca Buccal Film should be used as part of a complete treatment program that also includes counseling and psychosocial support.
Belbuca dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Pain:
Initial dose:
-Buccal film: 150 mcg (0.15 mg) buccally every 12 hours
-Sublingual tablet: 2 mg (0.02 mg/kg) sublingually every 12 hours
-Sublingual film: 2 mg (0.02 mg/kg) sublingually every 12 hours
Maintenance dose: Individualize
-Buccal film: 300 mcg to 600 mcg (0.3 mg to 0.6 mg) buccally every 12 hours
-Sublingual tablet: 4 mg to 8 mg (0.04 mg/kg to 0.08 mg/kg) sublingually every 12 hours
-Sublingual film: 4 mg to 8 mg (0.04 mg/kg to 0.08 mg/kg) sublingually every 12 hours
Maximum dose:
-Buccal film: 600 mcg (0.6 mg) buccally every 12 hours
-Sublingual tablet: 8 mg (0.08 mg/kg) sublingually every 12 hours
-Sublingual film: 8 mg (0.08 mg/kg) sublingually every 12 hours
Comments:
-Individualize based on patient response.
-Buprenorphine has a ceiling effect at doses above 8 mg; however, some patients may require higher doses for pain relief.
-If the patient does not respond to an initial dose of 150 mcg (0.15 mg), the dose may be increased in increments of 150 mcg (0.15 mg) every 3 to 7 days until adequate pain relief is achieved or until side effects become bothersome.
-A reduction in dose may be necessary if the patient experiences bothersome side effects.
Uses: For the management of moderate to severe pain when a continuous, around-the-clock opioid analgesic is needed for pain relief.
Uses: For the management of moderate to severe pain when a continuous, around-the-clock opioid analgesic is needed for pain relief.
Limitations of use: Reserve BELBUCA for use in patients who are already receiving opioid therapy and for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate.
Belbuca is not for use as as-needed (prn) analgesia.
What are the Side Effects of Belbuca?
When considering the use of Belbuca, it is important to weigh the potential benefits against the possible risks and side effects. As with any medication, there is always the potential for side effects. Some of the more common side effects associated with Belbuca include dizziness, drowsiness, constipation, and nausea. Less common side effects include headache, dry mouth, and itching.
If you experience any of these side effects, it is important to contact your healthcare provider. They will be able to advise you on whether or not you should continue taking Belbuca. In most cases, the side effects of Belbuca are mild and do not require any treatment. However, if you do experience more severe side effects, your healthcare provider may recommend stopping Belbuca.
It is also important to be aware of the potential for drug interactions when taking Belbuca. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting any new medications, including over-the-counter medications and supplements.
Overall, Belbuca is considered a safe medication when used as directed. Be sure to follow the instructions of your healthcare provider and always check with them before making any changes to your Belbuca dosage or treatment plan.