Buprenorphine
(Temgesic®, Buprenorphine)
Available as tablets or capsules.
Sublingual tablets
Available as soluble tablets?
No
Available as a liquid?
No
Available as something for placing under your tongue?
Yes
Available as something for placing on your gum?
No
Available as granules?
No
Available as a patch for putting on your skin?
Yes
Available as an injection?
Yes
Available as nasal/oral spray?
No
Safe or appropriate to crush
Crushing is not necessary as tablets are sublingual or oral lyophilisates
Additional information for Healthcare Professionals+
Generic name
Buprenorphine
Usual formulation brand names
Temgesic®
Is tablet/capsule specially coated?
No
Modified release
No
Film coated
No
Enteric coated
No
Sugar coated
No
Soluble tablet strength
-
Sublingual/buccal formulation strength
0.4mg, 2mg, 8mg sublingual tablets 2mg & 8 mg oral lyophilisate tables
Granule strength
-
Transdermal patch strength
5, 10, 15, 20, 35, 52.5 & 70micrgrams/hr transdermal patches
Injection strength
8mg, 16mg, 24mg, 64mg& 96mg prolonged release injection
Nasal/oral spray Strength
-
Available as a licensed liquid or special?
No
Are specials or imports available?
No
Liquid strengths
n/a
Is the liquid medicine sugar free?
n/a
Licensed for administration via enteral tube
No
Advice on administration via enteral tube
The drug undergoes significant first pass metabolism so should not be administered via enteral feeding tubes. The injection or patches should be used if the patient's mouth is not sufficiently moist to use the sublingual tablets.
Notes
Oral lyophilisate tables should be placed on the tongue not under the tongue