Buprenorphine Drug Implant

Brands: Probuphine

Uses

For drug addiction treatment.

Instructions

Two bandages will cover the area where the rod is placed. Leave the larger, outer bandage on for 24 hours. Leave the smaller bandage in place for 3-5 days, as instructed by your doctor.

Keep the bandages clean and dry.

Keep the card that includes the date and place the rod was inserted.

To reduce constipation, eat high fiber foods, drink plenty of water and exercise.

Drug interactions can change how medicines work or increase risk for side effects. Tell your health care providers about all medicines taken. Include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal medicines. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist before starting or stopping any medicine.

If the rod comes through the skin or moves to another location, call your doctor right away.

If the rod comes out by itself, place a clean bandage over the area where the rod came out. Put the rod in a plastic bag and bring it to your doctor. Do not let others touch the rod.

The rod must be removed after 6 months by your doctor. Do not remove the rod by yourself.

Keep all appointments for medical exams and tests while on this medicine.

Cautions

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you should have naloxone on hand to treat opioid overdose. Teach your family or household members about the signs of an opioid overdose and how to treat it.

This medicine may cause you to experience some withdrawal symptoms from your pain medication. Tell your doctor right away if you have unusual sweating, chills, stomach pain, diarrhea, yawning or irritability.

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with breathing difficulties.

Call your doctor right away if you notice slow or shallow breathing.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.

If possible, avoid using with alcohol, marijuana, or other medicines that can cause dizziness or drowsiness. These include allergy/cold products, muscle relaxers, sleep aids, and pain relievers.

Your ability to stay alert or to react quickly may be impaired by this medicine. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you.

This medicine can hurt a new baby in the womb. If you become pregnant while on this medicine, tell your doctor immediately. Your doctor may switch you to a different medicine.

Do not share this medicine with anyone who has not been prescribed this medicine.

Tell your doctor if symptoms do not get better or if they get worse.

Seek medical attention if you see any signs of a serious infection. These signs include pain, increasing redness or pus where this medicine is being used.

Some patients have serious side effects from this medicine. Ask your pharmacist to show you the information from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and discuss it with you.

Side Effects

The following is a list of some common side effects from this medicine. Please speak with your doctor about what you should do if you experience these or other side effects.

• decreased appetite
• constipation
• dizziness or drowsiness
• lightheadedness
• nausea
• nausea and vomiting

Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you notice any of these more serious side effects:

• decreased awareness or responsiveness
• breathing interruption during sleep
• shallow, irregular breathing
• changes in memory, mood, or thinking
• confusion
• fainting
• hallucinations (unusual thoughts, seeing or hearing things that are not real)
• fast or irregular heart beats
• signs of liver damage (such as yellowing of eye or skin, dark urine, or unusual tiredness)
• mood changes
• numbness or weakness in the arm with the implant
• pain, heat, swelling or redness at the incision site
• weight loss

A few people may have an allergic reaction to this medicine. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, skin rash, itching, swelling, or severe dizziness. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical help quickly.

Extra

Please speak with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have any questions about this medicine.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This document tells you briefly how to take your medicine, but it does not tell you all there is to know about it. Your doctor or pharmacist may give you other documents about your medicine. Please talk to them if you have any questions. Always follow their advice. There is a more complete description of this medicine available in English. Scan this code on your smartphone or tablet or use the web address below. You can also ask your pharmacist for a printout. If you have any questions, please ask your pharmacist. The display and use of this drug information is subject to Terms of Use. Copyright(c) 2023 First Databank, Inc.