Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Buprenorphine may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
for 2. What you need to know before you use Bunov 3. How to use Bunov 4. Possible side effects
e Bunov Do not use Bunov:
Bunov Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Different strengths of Bunov are available. Your doctor will decide which strength of Bunov will suit you best. During treatment, your doctor may change the patch you use to a smaller or larger one if necessary, or tell you to use a combination of up to two patches. Do not cut or divide the patch or use a higher dose than recommended. You should not apply more than two patches at the same time, up to a maximum total dose of 40 micrograms/hour. If you feel that the effect of the Bunov is too weak or too strong, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Your prescriber should have discussed with you how long the course of patches will last. They will arrange a plan for stopping treatment. This will outline how to gradually reduce the dose and stop taking the medicine. Adults and elderly patients Unless your doctor has told you differently, attach one Bunov patch (as described in detail below) and change it every seventh day, preferably at the same time of day. Your doctor may wish to adjust the dose after 3-7 days until the correct level of pain control has been found. If your doctor has advised you to take other painkillers in addition to the patch, strictly follow the doctor's instructions, otherwise you will not fully benefit from treatment with Bunov. The patch should be worn for 3 full days before increasing the dose, this is when the maximum effect of a given dose is established. Patients with kidney disease/dialysis patients In patients with kidney disease, no change in dose is necessary. Patients with liver disease In patients with liver disease, the effects and period of action of the Bunov may be affected and your doctor will therefore check on you more closely. Patients under 18 years of age Bunov should not be used in patients below the age of 18 years. Method of administration Bunov transdermal patch is for transdermal use. Bunov act through the skin. After application, buprenorphine passes through the skin into the blood. Before applying the transdermal patch
Upper Arm
OR
Front OR
Back OR
Wearing the transdermal patch You should wear the patch for seven days. Provided that you have applied the patch correctly, there is little risk of it coming off. If the edges of the patch begin to peel off, they may be taped down with a suitable skin tape. You may shower, bathe or swim whilst wearing it. Do not expose the patch to extreme heat (e.g. heating pads, electric blanket, heat lamps, sauna, hot tubs, heated water beds, hot water bottle, etc) as this may lead to larger quantities of the active ingredient being absorbed into the blood than normal. External heat may also prevent the patch from sticking properly. If you have a high temperature this may alter the effects of Bunov (see "Warnings and precautions" section above). In the unlikely event that your patch falls off before it needs changing, do not use the same patch again. Stick a new one on straight away (see "Changing the transdermal patch" below).
Changing the transdermal patch
4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Serious side effects that may be associated with Bunov are similar to those seen with other strong painkillers and include difficulty in breathing and low blood pressure. This medicine can cause allergic reactions, although serious allergic reactions are rare. Remove the patch and tell your doctor immediately if you get any sudden wheeziness, difficulties in breathing, swelling of the eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching especially those covering your whole body. Drug withdrawal When you stop using Bunov patches you may experience drug withdrawal symptoms, which include restlessness, difficulty sleeping, irritability, agitation, anxiety, feeling your heartbeat (palpitations), increased blood pressure, feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, shaking, shivering or sweating. How do I know if I am addicted? If you notice any of the following signs whilst using Bunov patches, it could be a sign that you have become addicted.
In patients treated with buprenorphine, the following other side effects have been reported: Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any
not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Bunov Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and sachet after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. 15 microgram/h patches: Do not store above 25°C. 30 and 40 microgram/h patches: This medicine does not require any special storage conditions. Do not use the patch if the sachet seal is broken. Used patches must be folded over on themselves with the adhesive layer inwards, and discarded safely. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information What Bunov patches contain
PRODUCT:
Amends:
Brunov/Buprenorphine microgram/h 7 Day transdermal patch 15, 30 & 40 MCG UK GM2355
Cutter Guide Pantone Black
Times New Roman ALL 9 pts body copy (min)
6 9.1.26
Signed (digitally)
Pharmacode XXXX Artwork Sign-off(digitally):
10.6.24 Leaflet (PIL) 480×280 mm
Approval: Internal proof approval
Y
Indesign CS 5
External proof approval Signed (digitally)
1. What Bunov is and what it is used for This medicine has been prescribed for you to relieve moderate, long-lasting pain that requires the use of a strong painkiller. It contains buprenorphine which belongs to a class of medicines called opioids, which are 'pain relievers'. This medicine has been prescribed to you and should not be given to anyone else. Opioids can cause addiction and you may get withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it suddenly. Your prescriber should have explained how long you will be taking it for and when it is appropriate to stop, how to do this safely. Bunov should not be used to relieve acute pain.
Bunov 40 microgram/hour Transdermal patch comes as patch containing 40mcg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Bunov 40 microgram/hour Transdermal patch is buprenorphine.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Bunov 40 microgram/hour Transdermal patch, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Treatment of non-malignant pain of moderate intensity when an opioid is necessary for obtaining adequate analgesia.
Bunov is not suitable for the treatment of acute pain.
Bunov is indicated in adults.
Posology
Patients aged 18 years and over:
The lowest Bunov dose (Bunov 5 microgram/hour transdermal patch) should be used as the initial dose. Consideration should be given to the previous opioid history of the patient (see section 4.5) as well as to the current general condition and medical status of the patient.
Prior to starting treatment with opioids, a discussion should be held with patients to put in place a strategy for ending treatment with buprenorphine in order to minimise the risk of addiction and drug withdrawal syndrome (see section 4.4).
Titration
During initiation of treatment with Bunov, short-acting supplemental analgesics may be required (see section 4.5) as needed until analgesic efficacy with Bunov is attained.
The dose of Bunov may be titrated upwards as indicated after 3 days, when the maximum effect of a given dose is established. Subsequent dose increases may then be titrated based on the need for supplemental pain relief and the patient's analgesic response to the patch.
To increase the dose, a larger patch should replace the patch that is currently being worn, or a combination of patches should be applied in different places to achieve the desired dose. It is recommended that no more than two patches are applied at the same time, up to a maximum total dose of 40 microgram/hour buprenorphine. A new patch should not be applied to the same skin site for the subsequent 3-4 weeks (see section 5.2). Patients should be carefully and regularly monitored to assess the optimum dose and duration of treatment.
Bunov should be administered every 7th day.
Duration of administration
Bunov should under no circumstances be administered for longer than absolutely necessary. If long-term pain treatment with Bunov is necessary in view of the nature and severity of the illness, then careful and regular monitoring should be carried out (if necessary with breaks in treatment) to establish whether and to what extent further treatment is necessary.
Discontinuation
After removal of the patch, buprenorphine serum concentrations decrease gradually and thus the analgesic effect is maintained for a certain amount of time. This should be considered when therapy with Bunov is to be followed by other opioids. As a general rule, a subsequent opioid should not be administered within 24 hours after removal of the patch. At present, only limited information is available on the starting dose of other opioids administered after discontinuation of the transdermal patch (see section 4.5).
Conversion from opioids
Bunov can be used as an alternative to treatment with other opioids. Such patients should be started on the lowest available dose (Bunov 5 microgram/hour transdermal patch) and continue taking short-acting supplemental analgesics (see section 4.5) during titration, as required.
Special populations
Elderly
No dosage adjustment of Bunov is required in elderly patients.
Renal impairment
No special dose adjustment of Bunov is necessary in patients with renal impairment.
Hepatic impairment
Buprenorphine is metabolised in the liver. The intensity and duration of its action may be affected in patients with impaired liver function. Therefore patients with hepatic insufficiency should be carefully monitored during treatment with Bunov.
Patients with severe hepatic impairment may accumulate buprenorphine during Bunov treatment. Consideration of alternate therapy should be considered, and Bunov should be used with caution, if at all, in such patients.
Paediatric population
The safety and efficacy of Bunov in children and adolescents below 18 years of age has not been established. No data are available.
Method of administration
Bunov is for transdermal use.
The patch must not be divided or cut into pieces.
The patch should not be used if the seal is broken.
Patch application
Bunov should be applied to non-irritated, intact skin of the upper outer arm, upper chest, upper back or the side of the chest, but not to any parts of the skin with large scars. Bunov should be applied to a relatively hairless or nearly hairless skin site. If none are available, the hair at the site should be cut with scissors, not shaven.
If the application site must be cleaned, it should be done with clean water only. Soaps, alcohol, oils, lotions or abrasive devices must not be used. The skin must be dry before the patch is applied. Bunov should be applied immediately after removal from the sealed sachet. Following removal of the protective layer, the transdermal patch should be pressed firmly in place with the palm of the hand for approximately 30 seconds, making sure the contact is complete, especially around the edges. If the edges of the patch begin to peel off, the edges may be taped down with suitable skin tape to ensure a 7 day period of wear. The patch should be worn continuously for 7 days. Bathing, showering, or swimming should not affect the patch. If a patch falls off, a new one should be applied and worn for 7 days.
- hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1,
- opioid dependent patients and for narcotic withdrawal treatment,
- conditions in which the respiratory center and function are severely impaired or may become so,
- patients who are receiving MAO inhibitors or have taken them within the last two weeks (see section 4.5),
- patients suffering from myasthenia gravis,
- patients suffering from delirium tremens.
Buprenorphine should be used with particular caution in patients with acute alcohol intoxication, head injury, shock, a reduced level of consciousness of uncertain origin, intracranial lesions or increased intracranial pressure, or in patients with severe hepatic impairment (see section 4.2).
Buprenorphine may lower the seizure threshold in patients with a history of seizure disorder.
Significant respiratory depression has been associated with buprenorphine, particularly by the intravenous route. A number of overdose deaths have occurred when addicts have intravenously abused buprenorphine, usually with benzodiazepines concomitantly. Additional overdose deaths due to ethanol and benzodiazepines in combination with buprenorphine have been reported.
Drug dependence, tolerance and potential for abuse
For all patients, prolonged use of this product may lead to drug dependence (addiction), even at therapeutic doses. The risks are increased in individuals with current or past history of substance misuse disorder (including alcohol misuse) or mental health disorder (e.g., major depression).
Additional support and monitoring may be necessary when prescribing for patients at risk of opioid misuse.
A comprehensive patient history should be taken to document concomitant medications, including over-the-counter medicines and medicines obtained on-line, and past and present medical and psychiatric conditions.
Patients may find that treatment is less effective with chronic use and express a need to increase the dose to obtain the same level of pain control as initially experienced. Patients may also supplement their treatment with additional pain relievers. These could be signs that the patient is developing tolerance. The risks of developing tolerance should be explained to the patient.
Overuse or misuse may result in overdose and/or death. It is important that patients only use medicines that are prescribed for them at the dose they have been prescribed and do not give this medicine to anyone else.
Patients should be closely monitored for signs of misuse, abuse, or addiction.
The clinical need for analgesic treatment should be reviewed regularly.
Drug withdrawal syndrome
Prior to starting treatment with any opioids, a discussion should be held with patients to put in place a withdrawal strategy for ending treatment with buprenorphine.
Drug withdrawal syndrome may occur upon abrupt cessation of therapy or dose reduction. When a patient no longer requires therapy, it is advisable to taper the dose gradually to minimise symptoms of withdrawal. Tapering from a high dose may take weeks to months.
The opioid drug withdrawal syndrome is characterised by some or all of the following: restlessness, lacrimation, rhinorrhoea, yawning, perspiration, chills, myalgia, mydriasis and palpitations. Other symptoms may also develop including irritability, agitation, anxiety, hyperkinesia, tremor, weakness, insomnia, anorexia, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, increased blood pressure, increased respiratory rate or heart rate.
If women take this drug during pregnancy, there is a risk that their newborn infants will experience neonatal withdrawal syndrome.
Hyperalgesia
Hyperalgesia may be diagnosed if the patient on long-term opioid therapy presents with increased pain. This might be qualitatively and anatomically distinct from pain related to disease progression or to breakthrough pain resulting from development of opioid tolerance. Pain associated with hyperalgesia tends to be more diffuse than the pre-existing pain and less defined in quality. Symptoms of hyperalgesia may resolve with a reduction of opioid dose.
Sleep-related breathing disorders
Opioids can cause sleep-related breathing disorders including central sleep apnoea (CSA) and sleep-related hypoxemia. Opioid use increases the risk of CSA in a dose-dependent fashion. In patients who present with CSA, consider decreasing the total opioid dosage.
Risk from concomitant use of sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs:
Concomitant use of Bunov and sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs may result in sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death. Because of these risks, concomitant prescribing with these sedative medicines should be reserved for patients for whom alternative treatment options are not possible. If a decision is made to prescribe Bunov concomitantly with sedative medicines, the lowest effective dose should be used, and the duration of treatment should be as short as possible.
The patients should be followed closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation. In this respect, it is strongly recommended to inform patients and their caregivers to be aware of these symptoms (see section 4.5).
Since CYP3A4 inhibitors may increase concentrations of buprenorphine (see section 4.5), patients already treated with CYP3A4 inhibitors should have their dose of Bunov carefully titrated since a reduced dosage might be sufficient in these patients.
Buprenorphine is not recommended for analgesia in the immediate post-operative period. Do not use for acute post-operative pain owing to the increased risk of persistent post-operative opioid use (PPOU) and opioid-induced ventilatory impairment (OIVI) or in other situations characterised by a narrow therapeutic index or a rapidly varying analgesic requirement.
Controlled human and animal studies indicate that buprenorphine has a lower dependence liability than pure agonist analgesics. In humans limited euphorigenic effects have been observed with buprenorphine. This may result in some abuse of the medicinal product and caution should be exercised when prescribing to patients known to have, or suspected of having, a history of drug abuse or alcohol abuse or serious mental illness.
Chronic use of buprenorphine can result in the development of physical dependence. Withdrawal (abstinence syndrome), when it occurs, is generally mild, begins after 2 days and may last up to 2 weeks. Withdrawal symptoms include agitation, anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, hyperkinesia, tremor and gastrointestinal disorders.
Bunov should not be used at higher doses than recommended.
Patients with fever or exposed to external heat:
While wearing the patch, patients should be advised to avoid exposing the application site to external heat sources, such as heating pads, electric blankets, heat lamps, sauna, hot tubs, and heated water beds, etc., as an increase in absorption of buprenorphine may occur. When treating febrile patients, one should be aware that fever may also increase absorption resulting in increased plasma concentrations of buprenorphine and thereby increased risk of opioid reactions.
Serotonin syndrome
Concomitant administration of Bunov and other serotonergic agents, such as MAO inhibitors, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors (SNRIs) or tricyclic antidepressants may result in serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition (see section 4.5).
If concomitant treatment with other serotonergic agents is clinically warranted, careful observation of the patient is advised, particularly during treatment initiation and dose increases.
Symptoms of serotonin syndrome may include mental-status changes, autonomic instability, neuromuscular abnormalities, and/or gastrointestinal symptoms.
If serotonin syndrome is suspected, a dose reduction or discontinuation of therapy should be considered depending on the severity of the symptoms.
Buprenorphine must not be used concomitantly with MAOIs or in patients who have received MAOIs within the previous two weeks (see section 4.3).
Effect of other active substances on the pharmacokinetics of buprenorphine:
Buprenorphine is primarily metabolised by glucuronidation and to a lesser extent (about 30%) by CYP3A4.
Concomitant treatment with CYP3A4 inhibitors may lead to elevated plasma concentrations with intensified efficacy of buprenorphine.
Studies with the CYP3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole did not produce clinically relevant increases in mean maximum (Cmax) or total (AUC) buprenorphine exposure following buprenorphine with ketoconazole as compared to buprenorphine alone.
The interaction between buprenorphine and CYP3A4 enzyme inducers has not been studied.
Co-administration of buprenorphine and enzyme inducers (e.g. phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin and rifampicin) could lead to increased clearance which might result in reduced efficacy.
Reductions in hepatic blood flow induced by some general anaesthetics (e.g. halothane) and other medicinal products may result in a decreased rate of hepatic elimination of buprenorphine.
Pharmacodynamic interactions:
Buprenorphine should be used cautiously with:
Other central nervous system depressants: other opioid derivatives (analgesics and antitussives containing e.g. morphine, dextropropoxyphene, codeine, dextromethorphan or noscapine). Certain antidepressants, sedative H1-receptor antagonists, alcohol, anxiolytics, neuroleptics, clonidine and related substances. These combinations increase the CNS depressant activity.
Sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs: The concomitant use of opioids with sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs increases the risk of sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death because of additive CNS depressant effect. The dose and duration of concomitant use should be limited (see section 4.4).
Serotonergic medicinal products, such as MAO inhibitors, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors (SNRIs) or tricyclic antidepressants as the risk of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition, is increased (see section 4.4).
At typical analgesic doses buprenorphine is described to function as a pure mu receptor agonist. In buprenorphine clinical studies subjects receiving full mu agonist opioids (up to 90 mg oral morphine or oral morphine equivalents per day) were transferred to buprenorphine. There were no reports of abstinence syndrome or opioid withdrawal during conversion from entry opioid to buprenorphine (see section 4.4).
Pregnancy
There are no or limited amount of data from the use of buprenorphine in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown.
Towards the end of pregnancy high doses of buprenorphine may induce respiratory depression in the neonate even after a short period of administration. Long-term administration of buprenorphine during pregnancy can result in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome.
Therefore buprenorphine should not be used during pregnancy and in women of childbearing potential who are not using effective contraception.
Regular use during pregnancy may cause drug dependence in the foetus, leading to withdrawal symptoms in the neonate.
If opioid use is required for a prolonged period in a pregnant woman, advise the patient of the risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and ensure that appropriate treatment will be available.
Administration during labour may depress respiration in the neonate and an antidote for the child should be readily available.
Breast feeding
Administration to nursing women is not recommended as buprenorphine is secreted in breast milk and may cause respiratory depression in the infant. Studies in rats have shown that buprenorphine may inhibit lactation. Available pharmacodynamic/toxicological data in animals has shown excretion of buprenorphine in milk (see section 5.3). Therefore the use of buprenorphine during lactation should be avoided.
Fertility
No human data on the effect of buprenorphine on fertility are available. In a fertility and early embryonic development study, no effects on reproductive parameters were observed in male or female rats (see section 5.3).
Buprenorphine has a major influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Even when used according to instructions, buprenorphine may affect the patient's reactions to such an extent that road safety and the ability to operate machinery may be impaired. This applies particularly in the beginning of treatment and in conjunction with other centrally acting substances including alcohol, tranquillisers, sedatives and hypnotics. An individual recommendation should be given by the physician. A general restriction is not necessary in cases where a stable dose is used.
Patients who are affected and experience undesirable effects (e.g. dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision) during treatment initiation or titration to a higher dose should not drive or use machines, for at least 24 hours after the patch has been removed.
Serious adverse reactions that may be associated with buprenorphine therapy in clinical use are similar to those observed with other opioid analgesics, including respiratory depression (especially when used with other CNS depressants) and hypotension (see section 4.4).
The following undesirable effects have occurred:
System organ class
MedDRA
Very common
(≥1/10)
Common
(≥1/100 to <1/10)
Uncommon
(≥1/1000 to <1/100)
Rare
(≥1/10,000 to <1/1000)
Very rare
(<1/10,000)
Not known
(cannot be estimated from the available data)
Immune system disorders
Hypersensitivity
Anaphylactic reaction
Anaphylactoid reaction
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Anorexia
Dehydration
Psychiatric disorders
Confusion, Depression, Insomnia, Nervousness, Anxiety
Sleep disorder, Restlessness, Agitation, Euphoric mood, Affect liability, Hallucinations, Nightmares, Decreased libido, Agression
Psychotic disorder
Drug dependence, Mood swings
Drug dependence (see section 4.4) Depersonalisation
Nervous system disorders
Headache, Dizziness, Somnolence
Tremor
Sedation, Dysgeusia, Dysarthria, Hypoaesthesia, Memory impairment, Migraine, Syncope, Abnormal coordination, Disturbance in attention, Paraestheia
Balance disorder, Speech disorder
Involuntary muscle contractions
Convulsions
Eye disorders
Dry eye, Blurred vision
Visual disturbance, Eyelid oedema, Miosis
Ear and labyrinth disorders
Tinnitus, Vertigo
Ear pain
Cardiac disorders
Palpitations, Tachycardia
Angina pectoris
Vascular disorders
Hypotension, Circulatory collapse, Hypertension, Flushing
Vasodilatation, Orthostatic hypotension
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Dyspnoea
Cough, Wheezing, Hiccups
Respiratory depression, Respiratory failure, Asthma aggravated, Hyperventilation, Rhinitis
Gastrointestinal disorders
Constipation, Nausea, Vomiting
Abdominal pain, Diarrhoea, Dyspepsia, Dry mouth
Flatulence
Dysphagia, Ileus
Diverticulitis
Hepatobiliary disorders
Biliary colic
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Pruritus, Erythema
Rash, Sweating, Exanthema
Dry skin, Urticaria, Dermatitis contact
Face oedema
Pustules, Vesicles
Application skin discolouration
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Muscular weakness
Myalgia, Muscle spasms
Renal and urinary disorders
Urinary incontinence, Urinary retention, Urinary hesitation
Reproductive system and breast disorders
Erectile dysfunction, Sexual dysfunction
General disorders and administration site conditions
Application site reaction1
Tiredness, Asthenic conditions, Peripheral oedema
Fatigue, Pyrexia, Rigors, Oedema, Drug withdrawal syndrome, Application site dermatitis*, Chest pain
Influenza like illness
Drug withdrawal syndrome neonatal
Investigations
Alanine aminotransferase increased, Weight decreased
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Accidental injury, Fall
* In some cases delayed local allergic reactions occurred with marked signs of inflammation. In such cases treatment with buprenorphine should be terminated.
1 Includes application site erythema, application site oedema, application site pruritus, application site rash.
Buprenorphine has a low risk of physical dependence. After discontinuation of buprenorphine, withdrawal symptoms are unlikely. This may be due to the very slow dissociation of buprenorphine from the opioid receptors and to the gradual decrease of buprenorphine plasma concentrations (usually over a period of 30 hours after removal of the last patch). However, after long-term use of buprenorphine, withdrawal symptoms similar to those occurring during opioid withdrawal, cannot be entirely excluded. These symptoms include agitation, anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, hyperkinesia, tremor and gastrointestinal disorders.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
Symptoms: Symptoms similar to those of other centrally acting analgesics are to be expected. These include respiratory depression, sedation, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, cardiovascular collapse and marked miosis.
Patients should be informed of the signs and symptoms of overdose and to ensure that family and friends are also aware of these signs and to seek immediate medical help if they occur.
Treatment: Any patches should be removed from the patient's skin. A patent airway should be established and maintained, respiration should be assisted or controlled as indicated and adequate body temperature and fluid balance should be maintained. Oxygen, intravenous fluids, vasopressors and other supportive measures should be employed as indicated.
A specific opioid antagonist such as naloxone may reverse the effects of buprenorphine, although naloxone may be less effective in reversing the effects of buprenorphine than other µ-opioid agonists. Treatment with continuous intravenous naloxone should begin with the usual doses but high doses may be required.
Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca
⚠ Not the same combination. This medicine contains Buprenorphine. The products below do not contain exactly the same set of active substances — they are not direct substitutes.
⚠ Same active substance, but a different pharmaceutical form (for example a gel instead of a tablet). Not interchangeable — ask a pharmacist.
Some of these do not contain exactly the same active substances — check each one. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
Ask anything about Bunov 40 microgram/hour Transdermal patch. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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