buprenorphine

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

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

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.

Recent Examples of buprenorphine from the Web

Andrew Kornfeld was carrying buprenorphine, a medication that can be used to help treat opioid addiction.

— ben flanagan, AL.com, "IndyCar Series champ James Hinchcliffe test drives Crimson Racing team's new race car," 19 Apr. 2018
Californians have gained more access to buprenorphine in recent years.

— catherine ho, San Francisco Chronicle, "Medi-Cal spending on opioid addiction treatments skyrockets," 27 Mar. 2018
Subutex, the brand name for buprenorphine, is taken as a tablet placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve.

— sandee lamotte, CNN, "FDA head calls for mandatory education, internet policing to fight opioid crisis," 4 Apr. 2018
But methadone and buprenorphine are not provided, not even to ease the pains of withdrawal.

— felice j. freyer, BostonGlobe.com, "US investigating treatment of addicted prisoners in Mass.," 29 Mar. 2018
Then, to combat extreme withdrawal, professional first responders should be allowed to administer medication such as buprenorphine.

— dina fine maron, Scientific American, "How Opioids Kill," 8 Jan. 2018
For example, hospital systems could require that a certain percentage of doctors are trained to prescribe buprenorphine.

— german lopez, Vox, "Congress’s omnibus bill adds $3.3 billion to fight the opioid crisis. It’s not enough.," 22 Mar. 2018
The drugs included 291 grams of heroin/fentanyl, 60 hydrocodone pills and 25 buprenorphine/naloxone strips, state police said.

— jesse leavenworth, courant.com, "Heroin And Fentanyl Seized In Sprague," 12 Mar. 2018
Millions would be spent on methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone, the three drugs that help people recover from heroin addiction.

— lawrence mower, miamiherald, "Lawmakers set to approve massive opioid bill, but it could have been more | Miami Herald," 7 Mar. 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.

First Known Use of buprenorphine

1974

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

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