Subutex 8mg Overview
Subutex 8mg is an opioid medication. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic.
Subutex sublingual tablets are used to treat opioid addiction.
Other forms of buprenorphine are used to treat moderate to severe pain.
Subutex 8mg Dosage adjustment and maintenance:
The dose of Subutex 8mg should be increased progressively according to the clinical effect of the individual patient and should not exceed a maximum single daily dose of 32mg. The dosage is titrated according to reassessment of the clinical and psychological status of the patient.
Dosage reduction and termination of treatment:
After a satisfactory period of stabilisation has been achieved, the dosage may be reduced gradually to a lower maintenance dose; when deemed appropriate, treatment may be discontinued in some patients. The availability of the sublingual tablet in doses of 0.4mg, 2mg and 8mg, respectively, allows for a downward titration of dosage. Patients should be monitored following termination of buprenorphine treatment because of the potential for relapse.
Special populations
Old
The safety and efficacy of buprenorphine in old patients over 65 years of age has not been established.
Hepatic impairment
Patients who are positive for viral hepatitis, on concomitant medicinal products and / or have existing liver dysfunction are at risk of greater liver injury. Patients should be monitored for signs and symptoms of toxicity or overdose caused by increased levels of buprenorphine (see section 4.4). Buprenorphine should be used with caution in patients with hepatic insufficiency (see section 5.2). Buprenorphine is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic insufficiency
Dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Opiate Dependence – Maintenance:
SUBLINGUAL Tablets: Following a 2-day induction:
-Adjust dose in 2 to 4 mg increments/decrements to a level that holds patient in treatment and suppresses opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms
-Target dose: 16 mg sublingually once a day; range 4 to 24 mg/day
-Maximum dose: 24 mg/day; higher doses have not shown a clinical advantage
Comments:
-Buprenorphine with naloxone is the preferred drug for maintenance treatment; unsupervised maintenance treatment with buprenorphine should be limited to those who cannot tolerate buprenorphine-naloxone.
-When determining prescription quantity for unsupervised administration, consider the patient’s level of stability, the security of his or her home situation, and other factors likely to affect the ability to manage supplies of take-home medications.
-Monthly doses should allow for a minimum of 26 days between doses; occasional delays in dosing of up to 2 weeks are not expected to have a clinically significant impact on treatment effect.
Usual Adult Dose for Opiate Dependence – Induction:
Subutex 8mg sublingual side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Subutex: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- any problems with your teeth or gums;
- noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing, breathing that stops during sleep;
- problems with thinking, blurred vision, slurred speech, a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- chest pain, trouble breathing, slow heartbeat or weak pulse;
- opioid withdrawal symptoms – shivering, goose bumps, increased sweating, feeling hot or cold, runny nose, watery eyes, diarrhea, muscle pain;
- low cortisol levels – vomiting, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness; or
- liver problems – nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
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