Belbuca: Uses, indications and precautions when using

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Buprenorphine is used to help relieve severe ongoing pain. This drug belongs to a class of drugs known as opioid analgesics. It affects the brain to change the way your body perceives and responds to pain. Do not use this medicine for mild pain or conditions that go away after a few days.

1. Uses and indications of Belbuca

Buprenorphine is used to help relieve severe ongoing pain. This drug belongs to a class of drugs known as opioid analgesics. It affects the brain to change the way your body perceives and responds to pain. Do not use this medicine for mild pain or conditions that go away after a few days. Belbuca is not for occasional use.
Belbuca is indicated in cases of:
Severe chronic pain requiring long-term opioid treatment. Belbuca is contraindicated in the following cases:
Decreased thyroid hormone levels not due to treatment Decreased function of the adrenal glands Psychosis due to sudden withdrawal of alcohol Drunk drug abuse Chronic heart attack Asthma asthma Decreased lung function Intestinal paralysis Severe liver disease Bile and gallbladder problems Urethral stricture Prostate enlargement Weak patient Increased intracranial pressure Worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease History of opioid overdose Opium - Morphine Analogue Allergy to Tramadol

2. Some notes when using Belbuca

Read the instructions for use provided by your doctor before you start using Buprenorphine and each time you are given a refill. Follow the illustrated instructions to use this medication correctly. If you have any questions, ask your doctor right away. Use Belbuca on a regular schedule as directed by your doctor, not as needed, for sudden pain. Belbuca is taken by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually every 12 hours. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to use Belbuca every 24 hours when you start it and gradually increase it every 12 hours. Before taking the medicine, rinse your mouth with water or wet the inside of your cheek with your tongue. Use dry fingertips to place a film in the mouth with the yellow side against the cheek. Press and hold the film in place for 5 seconds, then remove your finger. The movie will stay in place after that. Leave it on until the medicine has dissolved. Do not move the membrane with your tongue or fingers or drink or eat food until the film is completely dissolved. If your doctor directs you to use more than one type of film at the same time, do not place one on top of the other. Place a film over each side of your mouth. Do not put the film on sores or open wounds on your cheeks. Do not use film if it has been cut, damaged, or altered in any way. The dose of Belbuca is calculated by your doctor based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose or use this medicine more often or for longer than prescribed, as your risk of side effects may be increased. Discontinue medication properly when indicated. Pain relievers work best if they are used when the first signs of pain appear. If you wait until the pain gets worse, the medicine may not work. Before you start using Belbuca, ask your doctor if you should stop or change the way you use your other opioid drug(s). Other pain relievers (such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen) may also be prescribed. Ask your doctor about safely using buprenorphine with other medicines.

Stopping Belbuca suddenly can cause withdrawal, especially if you have been using it for a long time or in high doses. To prevent withdrawal, your doctor may reduce your dose slowly. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these withdrawal symptoms: Restlessness Mood changes such as anxiety, trouble sleeping, thoughts of suicide. Watery eyes, runny nose. Nausea Diarrhea Sweating Muscle pain Sudden change in behavior. When using Belbuca for a long time, it may not work. Talk to your doctor if the medicine stops working well. While it works for many people, Belbuca can sometimes be addictive. This risk may be higher if you have a stimulant use disorder such as drug/alcohol abuse or addiction. Use medications exactly as prescribed to reduce the risk of addiction. Tell your doctor if your pain does not improve or if it gets worse after using Belbuca.

3. Side effects of Belbuca

When using the drug Belbuca may appear symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, lightheadedness, dizziness or drowsiness. Some of these side effects may decrease after you use the medicine for a while. If any of these effects persist or get worse, tell your doctor right away.
To prevent constipation, eat enough fiber, drink enough water and exercise. Sometimes you may need to take a laxative. Ask your doctor which laxative is right for you.
To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness when using Belbuca, get up slowly when getting up from a sitting or lying position.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Belbuca because he or she has judged that the benefit to you outweighs the risk of side effects. Many people who use Belbuca do not experience any serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects while using Belbuca, including:
Sleep apnea Mood changes such as agitation, confusion, hallucinations. Stomach or abdominal pain Difficulty urinating Signs of an underactive adrenal gland such as unusual tiredness or weight loss.

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects of Belbuca medicine, including: fainting, fast or irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, seizure, slow or shallow breathing, severe drowsiness or difficulty waking up.
Buprenorphine rarely causes fatal liver disease. Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of liver damage while using Belbuca, including: nausea or vomiting that doesn't stop, loss of appetite, severe stomach pain, yellowing eyes or skin, water dark urine.
A very serious allergic reaction to Belbuca is very rare. However, if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction to Belbuca medicine get medical help right away: rash, itching/swelling especially of the face, tongue, throat, severe dizziness severe, difficult to breathe.
Belbuca drug side effects by likelihood.
Common side effects of Belbuca include:
Infection Depression Soreness of the tongue Unusual redness of the lining of the mouth Feelings of anxiety Back pain Constipation Difficulty sleeping Excessive sweating Swelling in the feet, legs, arms or hands Headache Nausea Pain Decreased sensation in the mouth Vomiting Uncommon side effects of Belbuca include:
Abnormal nervous system function affecting alarm Abscesses Decreased lung function Nasal congestion and Runny nose Chills Cough Diarrhea Dizziness Drowsiness Excessive tearing Fever Flu-like symptoms Indigestion Severe abdominal pain Anxiety Sore throat

Rare side effects of Belbuca include:
Hypersensitivity reactions to the drug Anaphylaxis Yellowing of the eyes or skin due to Bilirubin accumulation Abnormal liver function Acute renal failure in patients with severe liver disease Drug addiction Fatigue decreased function of the adrenal glands Hepatitis liver failure Sleep apnea Changes in sexual preferences Dryness Orthostatic hypotension Inability to get an erection Dilation of blood vessels This is not an exhaustive list What are the possible side effects of Belbuca? If you notice other effects of Belbuca medicine not listed above, contact your doctor right away.

4. Measures to prevent side effects of the drug Belbuca

Before using buprenorphine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to this medicine and to any other allergies. Belbuca may contain inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or other problems.
Before using Belbuca, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
Brain conditions such as head injury, tumors, epilepsy. Breathing problems such as sleep apnea , asthma , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - COPD . Gallbladder disease Kidney disease Liver disease Mental disorders such as confusion, depression, suicidal thoughts. Personal or family history of substance use disorder such as drug or alcohol abuse or addiction. Stomach or bowel problems such as blockage, constipation, diarrhea caused by infection, paralytic ileus. Pancreatic diseases such as pancreatitis. Difficulty urinating as from an enlarged prostate gland. Mouth sores or blisters. Buprenorphine can cause a condition that affects your heart rate (QT prolongation) and symptoms such as severe dizziness and fainting that require immediate medical attention.
Before using buprenorphine, tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking and if you have any of these conditions: certain heart conditions such as heart failure, bradycardia, QT prolongation in the ECG, money family history of certain heart disease (ECG prolongation of the QT interval, sudden cardiac death).
Low blood levels of potassium or magnesium can also increase the risk of QT prolongation. This risk may be increased if you use certain medications such as diuretics or if you have conditions such as excessive sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about safely using buprenorphine in these circumstances.

Belbuca can make you dizzy or drowsy, and alcohol and marijuana can make you more dizzy or drowsy. You should not drive, use machines, or do anything that requires alertness while using Belbuca until you can do these safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages while using Belbuca. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana.
Before surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are being treated with Belbuca.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Belbuca, especially confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, slow/shallow breathing, QT prolongation.
Women during pregnancy, should use Belbuca only when absolutely necessary because it can harm the unborn baby. Buprenorphine passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Tell your doctor right away if your baby is unusually sleepy, has trouble feeding, or has trouble breathing. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding while using buprenorphine.

5. Interactions of Belbuca

Drug interactions can change the way Belbuca works or increase your risk of serious side effects. Share with your doctor a list of all the medicines you are taking including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication while on treatment without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with Belbuca include: some pain relievers (mixture of opioid agonists such as pentazocine, nalbuphine, butorphanol), naltrexone.
Many drugs besides buprenorphine can affect heart rate (QT prolongation), including amiodarone, dofetilide, disopyramide, quinidine, procainamide, sotalol, several others.
The risk of serious side effects such as slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness may be increased if Belbuca is used with other products that may also cause drowsiness or problems with Respiratory.
Tell your doctor if you are taking other medicines such as other opioid pain relievers or cough suppressants such as codeine, hydrocodone, alcohol, marijuana, sleeping or anxiety medications such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem; muscle relaxants such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine; or an antihistamine such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine.
Check the labels of all medicines you are taking such as allergy or cough and cold products as they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your doctor about using those products safely.
Belbuca may affect certain tests including amylase/lipase levels and may cause false test results. Make sure laboratory staff and all your doctors know you are using Belbuca.

6. What to do when using Belbuca drug overdose?

If you or someone else has overdosed on Belbuca and has severe symptoms such as passing out or having trouble breathing, give them naloxone if available, then call 911.

7. What to do if you forget to use Belbuca?

If you miss a dose of Belbuca, use it as soon as you remember. If you remember when it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose of Belbuca at the usual time. Do not take a double dose of Belbuca to make up for a previously missed dose.

8. How to store Belbuca pills

Store Belbuca at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Do not store Belbuca pills in the bathroom. Keep this medicine away from children and pets.
Do not flush Belbuca down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Dispose of Belbuca medicine properly when it has expired or is no longer needed.

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Reference source: webmd.com