buprenorphine

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

|Updated on: 16 Jun 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.

— amy forliti, latimes.com, "As Prince's health waned, his inner circle had grown increasingly alarmed," 20 Apr. 2018
The implant is the safest delivery system of buprenorphine for folks like me who need daily, long-term treatment.

— sarah wilson as told to maria carter, Woman's Day, "I Trusted My Doctor—Until I Became Addicted to Prescription Painkillers," 22 Apr. 2016
But, Latinos with experience in the field said, access to buprenorphine (which is also known by the brand name Suboxone) is limited because there are few Spanish-speaking doctors who prescribe it.

— martha bebinger, Washington Post, "Opioid Overdoses Are Rising Faster Among Latinos Than Whites Or Blacks. Why?," 22 May 2018
Getting her off heroin or painkillers and getting her on to buprenorphine is a priority.

— georgea kovanis, Detroit Free Press, "The tiniest addicts: How U.P. babies became part of opioid epidemic," 2 May 2018
Added to buprenorphine, naloxone makes abusing the medication more difficult.

— rita giordano, Philly.com, "Opioid addiction treatment with medicine works best. Why don't more young people get it?," 11 Apr. 2018
On the morning Reed was set for trial in a state criminal case, Blake tried to pass him drugs, including methamphetamine, heroin and buprenorphine — one of the narcotic drugs in the opioid treatment drug called Suboxone, the statement said.

— tegan hanlon, Anchorage Daily News, "Wasilla woman and Palmer inmate charged with trying to smuggle drugs into prison," 30 Mar. 2018
For example, buprenorphine, used in fighting opioid addiction, binds to opioid receptors without providing as much euphoria as the opioid.

— robert f. service, Science | AAAS, "Chemists seek antiaddiction drugs to save hijacked brains," 12 Apr. 2018
Of the five treatments in Insys’ pipeline, the furthest along is a buprenorphine painkiller spray for which the FDA accepted a new drug application late last year.

— allison prang, WSJ, "Opioid Maker Insys Still Has Fans on Wall Street," 6 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