buprenorphine

noun

bu·pre·nor·phine | \ ˌbyü-prə-ˈnȯr-ˌfēn

, -fən\

Definition of buprenorphine

: a semisynthetic narcotic analgesic that is administered in the form of its hydrochloride C₂₉H₄₁NO₄·HCl to control moderate to severe pain and treat opioid dependence

Note: Buprenorphine is administered by injection to control pain, is used in the form of a transdermal skin patch to control pain or treat opioid dependence, and is used in combination with naloxone in the form of a dissolvable tablet placed under the tongue or film placed inside the cheek to treat opioid dependence.

Examples of buprenorphine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But given the evidence on buprenorphine, the approach seems, at least in theory, sound. — German Lopez, Vox, "A Vermont needle exchange isn’t just giving out syringes. It’s offering treatment on the spot.," 20 Nov. 2018 Buprenorphine withdrawal treatment should be undertaken only if a plan is in place for giving inmates naltrexone or keeping them on buprenorphine. — Terry Demio, USA TODAY, "Incarcerated opioid addicts often have to tough out withdrawal. Some jails say they have a better way.," 23 May 2018 After years of struggling with painkiller and heroin use, buprenorphine helped her stop using. — German Lopez, Vox, "The simple idea that could help end America’s opioid epidemic," 26 Dec. 2018 In Boston, there’s a mobile van that takes buprenorphine prescribing to the streets. — Martha Bebinger, Washington Post, "After Opioid Overdose, Only 30 Percent Get Medicine To Treat Addiction," 19 June 2018 Heroin, after all, is more potent and, therefore, riskier than methadone and particularly buprenorphine. — German Lopez, Vox, "A big, new review of the evidence finds that prescription heroin works," 6 Dec. 2018 Still, half the counties in the United States don’t have a single buprenorphine prescriber. — Abby Goodnough, New York Times, "When an Iowa Family Doctor Takes On the Opioid Epidemic," 23 June 2018 Not long after that, Ardy saw an ad in local magazine for a clinical trial of buprenorphine, a medication commonly used to treat opioid dependence, including heroin addiction. — Sarah Wilson As Told To Maria Carter, Woman's Day, "I Trusted My Doctor—Until I Became Addicted to Prescription Painkillers," 22 Apr. 2016 Of the 64 counties in Colorado, 31 don’t have a methadone clinic or a doctor who prescribes buprenorphine, according to a 2017 Colorado Health Institute report. — Jennifer Brown, The Seattle Times, "Methadone clinics in Colorado have doubled in 3 years," 4 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'buprenorphine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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21 Apr 2019

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The first known use of buprenorphine was in 1974

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buprenorphine

noun

bu·pre·nor·phine | \ ˌbyü-prə-ˈnȯr-ˌfēn, -fən

Medical Definition of buprenorphine

: a semisynthetic narcotic analgesic that is derived from thebaine and is administered in the form of its hydrochloride C₂₉H₄₁NO₄·HCl to control moderate to severe pain and treat opioid dependence