Saturday, November 17, 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 belongs to the agonist-antagonist class of opioids. What this means is that it has the ability to stimulate or inhibit the opioid receptors resulting in potentially opposite actions. If it is being used for withdrawal management, it works best if combined with other forms of rehabilitation such as counselling and behaviour modification.

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 are put on the drug for management of withdrawal symptoms, you will first need to read the drug information sheet and familiarize yourself with its contents. This information relates to how the drug is to be taken and the side effects that may result from its use. If you have any doubts regarding it, you will be well advised to consult with your doctor or pharmacist .

The tablet form of the is usually taken through the sublingual route (under the tongue). It should dissolve slowly and get absorbed into the bloodstream. On average, this takes between 5 and 10 minutes. The number of tablets given will depend on the severity of the symptoms of withdrawal. Currently, an injectable form of the drug for this indication is still under development and is likely to be approved in the near future. If approved, it will be administered once a month and weaned off gradually.

If the drug is to achieve its intended purpose, the prescription instructions should be followed. Swallowing the drugs, for instance, goes against the instructions and only works to make it ineffective. Some people may also try to dissolve the tablet and turn it into an injection. This is strongly discouraged as it contributes to severe withdrawal symptoms.

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 is known to lead to withdrawal symptoms that are similar to those associated with opioids if its use is stopped suddenly. There symptoms include muscular pains, tearing, runny nose, sweating and restlessness among others. In higher doses, it may cause respiratory depression which is a potentially fatal complication. The solution to this is to ensure that the stoppage is more gradual.




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