Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Facts On The Use Of Buprenorphine Memphis Patients Need To Know

By Virginia Russell


Opioids are narcotics that are used for managing moderate to severe forms of pain. They are prescription only drugs in many countries. They are associated with dependence and are strongly addictive. They tend to be abused within and outside hospitals and stopping their use almost always leads to withdrawal symptoms. Buprenorphine is a drug that can be used for managing these symptoms. If they wish to start taking buprenorphine Memphis residents should know a few things about the drug.

This drug is classified as a mixed opioid agonist-antagonists. This means that It can activate or inhibit the opioid receptors thus may cause opposing actions in different circumstances. To be more effective, the drug should not be used in isolation. Rather, it should be used alongside other methods of rehabilitation such as behavioural modification and counselling.

Apart from the management of opioid withdrawal, this drug is also quite effective in the management of both acute and chronic pain seen in conditions such as cancer, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia among others. It is available as an injection, an implant or a dermal patch. The mode of delivery chosen is determined by the nature of the diagnosis. On average, maximal relief is experienced within an hour of administration and this relief lasts for about 24 hours.

If you have been given the drug to used at home, it is important that you first familiarize yourself with the medication guide provided by the pharmacist. This will not only help you know about how it should be administered, but it also lets you know about the associated side effects. If in doubt, ensure that you consult your doctor or pharmacist.

The drug is available as a tablet for use in managing withdrawal symptoms that is administered through the sublingual route. This means that it is placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve slowly over time. The dissolution should be completed in between five and ten minutes. The dosage of drug depends on the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. An injection to be used once a month for the management of these symptoms is awaiting approval in the United States.

Following the instructions issued by the doctor is important for the drugs to achieve their effect. Swallowing the tablet instead of taking it sublingually will make it ineffective. Making it a suspension and injecting it into a vein is equally not helpful. In fact, this tends to worsen the withdrawal symptoms and is therefore, strongly discouraged.

The use of buprenorphine should only be considered when the withdrawal symptoms set in and not earlier. It is usually started within two days of stopping opioid use. Beyond that a form that is combined with naloxone is prescribed so as to discourage then use of the drug as an injection.

Buprenorphine has itself found to cause withdrawal symptoms especially if used regularly over a long period of time. Such symptoms may include a state of restlessness, sweating, a running nose, tearing and muscular pains among others. To minimize the risk of suffering these symptoms, it is recommended that the dose should be tapered gradually rather than stopped suddenly.




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