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

When France relaxed restrictions on doctors prescribing buprenorphine in response to its own opioid crisis in 1995, the number of people in treatment rose and overdose deaths fell by 79 percent over the following four years. — German Lopez, Vox, "Drug overdose deaths were so bad in 2017, they reduced overall life expectancy," 29 Nov. 2018 And the measures would more than double the number of patients to whom doctors can prescribe buprenorphine, a drug used to treat opioid addiction, to 275. — Gregg Re, Fox News, "Senate approves bipartisan opioid legislation, cracking down on shipments Trump called 'almost a form of warfare'," 18 Sep. 2018 For some, that might mean using medications such as tramadol, buprenorphine, or methadone to help ease withdrawal symptoms, Dr. Ziffra says. — Korin Miller, SELF, "Rapper Bow Wow Says He ‘Almost Died’ After Developing an Addiction to Lean," 13 Sep. 2018 Short of that, providing buprenorphine for just a few days could help. — German Lopez, Vox, "A Vermont needle exchange isn’t just giving out syringes. It’s offering treatment on the spot.," 20 Nov. 2018 The city is also funding buprenorphine in several emergency departments and at syringe exchange programs around the city. — Melanie Grayce West, WSJ, "Number of Fatal Drug Overdoses in NYC Increased in 2017, Data Shows," 17 Sep. 2018 Also this year, Purdue and Richard Sackler obtained a patent for a novel form of the mild opioid buprenorphine that can be used as a treatment for opioid addiction, according to a third report by the FT. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Mega-rich family behind opioid crisis has second, secret opioid company," 10 Sep. 2018 If the mandate becomes law, a likely model for other hospitals will be Massachusetts General Hospital, the first hospital in the state to provide buprenorphine in the emergency department. — Felice J. Freyer And Joshua Miller, BostonGlobe.com, "Bill to combat opioid crisis rejects 72-hour hold, adds mandate for hospital care," 10 July 2018 Health officials now can administer methadone and another drug called buprenorphine, which can reduce withdrawal symptoms, inside the jail, though Hill could not immediately say if Flynn was receiving either drug. — Chad Sokol, The Seattle Times, "Spokane County Jail removing bedsheets, hiring suicide-prevention expert after 3 inmates hang themselves in a year," 1 July 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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15 Dec 2018

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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