Butrans
- Generic Name: buprenorphine transdermal system
- Brand Name: Butrans
- Drug Class: Opioid Analgesics
Butrans (Buprenorphine Transdermal System) side effects drug center
Butrans Side Effects Center
What Is Butrans?
Butrans (buprenorphine) is a narcotic (opiate) analgesic used to help relieve moderate to severe ongoing pain (such as due to arthritis, chronic back pain).
What Are Side Effects of Butrans?
Common side effects of Butrans include:
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- constipation,
- dry mouth,
- upset stomach,
- lightheadedness,
- dizziness,
- drowsiness,
- headache, or
- irritation, itching, redness, or skin rash where the patch was worn.
Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Butrans including:
- mental/mood changes (such as agitation, confusion, hallucinations),
- difficulty urinating, or
- swelling or blistering at the patch application site.
Dosage for Butrans?
The dose of Butrans is individualized and based on the patient's medical condition, the severity of the pain, and other factors. It is for transdermal use (on intact skin) only. Butrans is worn for 7 days.
What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Butrans?
Butrans may interact with pain medications, narcotic antagonists, cimetidine, nefazodone, St. John's wort, azole antifungals, calcium channel blockers, HIV drugs, macrolide antibiotics, rifamycins, anti-seizure medications, or other products that may also affect breathing or cause drowsiness including alcohol, allergy or cough-and-cold products, medicine for sleep or anxiety, muscle relaxants, other narcotics, and psychiatric medicines. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Butrans During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
During pregnancy, Butrans should be used only when prescribed. It may slightly increase risk of birth defects if used during the first two months of pregnancy. Using it near the expected delivery date may harm the fetus. Tell the doctor if you notice symptoms in your newborn such as slow/shallow breathing, irritability, abnormal/persistent crying, vomiting, or diarrhea. This drug passes into breast milk and may rarely have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Tell the doctor if your baby develops unusual sleepiness, difficulty feeding, or trouble breathing. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop taking this medication.
Additional Information
Our Butrans (buprenorphine) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.
Butrans Consumer Information
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.
Stop using buprenorphine and call your doctor at once if you have:
- weak or shallow breathing, deep sighs, snoring that is new or unusual;
- breathing that stops during sleep;
- chest pain, fast heart rate, seizure (convulsions);
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- blisters, swelling, or severe irritation where the patch was worn;
- adrenal gland problems--nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, feeling weak or tired; or
- liver problems--upper stomach pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults and those who are overweight, malnourished, or debilitated.
Common side effects may include:
- constipation, nausea, vomiting;
- headache, dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness; or
- redness, itching, or rash where the patch was worn.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Read the entire detailed patient monograph for Butrans (Buprenorphine Transdermal System)
Butrans Professional Information
SIDE EFFECTS
The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling:
- Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Interactions with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Adrenal Insufficiency [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- QTc Prolongation [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Severe Hypotension [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Hepatotoxicity [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Application Site Skin Reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Anaphylactic/Allergic Reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Gastrointestinal Effects [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Seizures [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
Clinical Trial Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
A total of 5,415 patients were treated with BUTRANS in controlled and open-label chronic pain clinical trials. Nine hundred twenty-four subjects were treated for approximately six months and 183 subjects were treated for approximately one year. The clinical trial population consisted of patients with persistent moderate to severe pain.
The most common serious adverse drug reactions (all <0.1%) occurring during clinical trials with BUTRANS were: chest pain, abdominal pain, vomiting, dehydration, and hypertension/blood pressure increased.
The most common adverse events (≥ 2%) leading to discontinuation were: nausea, dizziness, vomiting, headache, and somnolence.
The most common adverse reactions (≥ 5%) reported by patients in clinical trials comparing BUTRANS 10 or 20 mcg/hour to placebo are shown in Table 2, and comparing BUTRANS 20 mcg/hour to BUTRANS 5 mcg/hour are shown in Table 3 below:
Table 2: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥ 5% of Patients during the Open-Label Titration Period and Double-Blind Treatment Period: Opioid-Naive Patients
| MedDRA Preferred Term | Open-Label Titration Period BUTRANS (N = 1024) |
Double-Blind Treatment Period | |
| BUTRANS (N = 256) |
Placebo (N = 283) |
||
| Nausea | 23% | 13% | 10% |
| Dizziness | 10% | 4% | 1% |
| Headache | 9% | 5% | 5% |
| Application site pruritus | 8% | 4% | 7% |
| Somnolence | 8% | 2% | 2% |
| Vomiting | 7% | 4% | 1% |
| Constipation | 6% | 4% | 1% |
Table 3: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥ 5% of Patients during the Open-Label Titration Period and Double-Blind Treatment Period: Opioid-Experienced Patients
| MedDRA Preferred Term | Titration Period BUTRANS (N = 1160) |
BUTRANS 20 (N = 219) |
BUTRANS 5 (N = 221) |
| Nausea | 14% | 11% | 6% |
| Application site pruritus | 9% | 13% | 5% |
| Headache | 9% | 8% | 3% |
| Somnolence | 6% | 4% | 2% |
| Dizziness | 5% | 4% | 2% |
| Constipation | 4% | 6% | 3% |
| Application site erythema | 3% | 10% | 5% |
| Application site rash | 3% | 8% | 6% |
| Application site irritation | 2% | 6% | 2% |
The following table lists adverse reactions that were reported in at least 2.0% of patients in four placebo/activecontrolled titration-to-effect trials.
Table 4: Adverse Reactions Reported in Titration-to-Effect Placebo/Active-Controlled Clinical Trials with Incidence ≥ 2%
| MedDRA Preferred Term | BUTRANS (N = 392) |
Placebo (N = 261) |
| Nausea | 21% | 6% |
| Application site pruritus | 15% | 12% |
| Dizziness | 15% | 7% |
| Headache | 14% | 9% |
| Somnolence | 13% | 4% |
| Constipation | 13% | 5% |
| Vomiting | 9% | 1% |
| Application site erythema | 7% | 2% |
| Application site rash | 6% | 6% |
| Dry mouth | 6% | 2% |
| Fatigue | 5% | 1% |
| Hyperhidrosis | 4% | 1% |
| Peripheral edema | 3% | 1% |
| Pruritus | 3% | 0% |
| Stomach discomfort | 2% | 0% |
The adverse reactions seen in controlled and open-label studies are presented below in the following manner: most common (≥ 5%), common (≥ 1% to < 5%), and less common (< 1%).
The most common adverse reactions (≥ 5%) reported by patients treated with BUTRANS in the clinical trials were nausea, headache, application site pruritus, dizziness, constipation, somnolence, vomiting, application site erythema, dry mouth, and application site rash.
The common (≥ 1% to < 5%) adverse reactions reported by patients treated with BUTRANS in the clinical trials organized by MedDRA (Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities) System Organ Class were:
Gastrointestinal disorders: diarrhea, dyspepsia, and upper abdominal pain
General disorders and administration site conditions: fatigue, peripheral edema, application site irritation, pain, pyrexia, chest pain, and asthenia
Infections and infestations: urinary tract infection, upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, influenza, sinusitis, and bronchitis
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications: fall
Metabolism and nutrition disorders: anorexia
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: back pain, arthralgia, pain in extremity, muscle spasms, musculoskeletal pain, joint swelling, neck pain, and myalgia
Nervous system disorders: hypoesthesia, tremor, migraine, and paresthesia
Psychiatric disorders: insomnia, anxiety, and depression
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: dyspnea, pharyngolaryngeal pain, and cough
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: pruritus, hyperhidrosis, rash, and generalized pruritus
Vascular disorders: hypertension
Other less common adverse reactions, including those known to occur with opioid treatment, that were seen in < 1% of the patients in the BUTRANS trials include the following in alphabetical order:
Abdominal distention, abdominal pain, accidental injury, affect lability, agitation, alanine aminotransferase increased, angina pectoris, angioedema, apathy, application site dermatitis, asthma aggravated, bradycardia, chills, confusional state, contact dermatitis, coordination abnormal, dehydration, depersonalization, depressed level of consciousness, depressed mood, disorientation, disturbance in attention, diverticulitis, drug hypersensitivity, drug withdrawal syndrome, dry eye, dry skin, dysarthria, dysgeusia, dysphagia, euphoric mood, face edema, flatulence, flushing, gait disturbance, hallucination, hiccups, hot flush, hyperventilation, hypotension, hypoventilation, ileus, insomnia, libido decreased, loss of consciousness, malaise, memory impairment, mental impairment, mental status changes, miosis, muscle weakness, nervousness, nightmare, orthostatic hypotension, palpitations, psychotic disorder, respiration abnormal, respiratory depression, respiratory distress, respiratory failure, restlessness, rhinitis, sedation, sexual dysfunction, syncope, tachycardia, tinnitus, urinary hesitation, urinary incontinence, urinary retention, urticaria, vasodilatation, vertigo, vision blurred, visual disturbance, weight decreased, and wheezing.
Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of buprenorphine. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Serotonin syndrome: Cases of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition, have been reported during concomitant use of opioids with serotonergic drugs.
Adrenal insufficiency: Cases of adrenal insufficiency have been reported with opioid use, more often following greater than one month of use.
Anaphylaxis: Anaphylaxis has been reported with ingredients contained in BUTRANS.
Androgen deficiency: Cases of androgen deficiency have occurred with chronic use of opioids [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Table 5 Includes clinically significant drug interactions with BUTRANS.
Table 5: Significant Drug Interactions with BUTRANS
| Benzodiazepines | |
| Clinical Impact: | There have been a number of reports regarding coma and death associated with the misuse and abuse of the combination of buprenorphine and benzodiazepines. In many, but not all of these cases, buprenorphine was misused by self-injection of crushed buprenorphine tablets. Preclinical studies have shown that the combination of benzodiazepines and buprenorphine altered the usual ceiling effect on buprenorphine-induced respiratory depression, making the respiratory effects of buprenorphine appear similar to those of full opioid agonists. |
| Intervention: | Closely monitor patients with concurrent use of BUTRANS and benzodiazepines. Warn patients that it is extremely dangerous to self-administer benzodiazepines while taking BUTRANS, and warn patients to use benzodiazepines concurrently with BUTRANS only as directed by their physician. |
| Benzodiazepines and Other Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants | |
| Clinical Impact: | Due to additive pharmacologic effects, the concomitant use of benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, can increase the risk of hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, and death. |
| Inten’ention: | Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required. Follow patients closely for signs of respiratory depression and sedation [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. |
| Examples: | Benzodiazepines and other sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, other opioids, alcohol. |
| Inhibitors of CYP3A4 | |
| Clinical Impact: | The concomitant use of buprenorphine and CYP3A4 inhibitors can increase the plasma concentration of buprenorphine, resulting in increased or prolonged opioid effects, particularly when an inhibitor is added after a stable dose of BUTRANS is achieved. After stopping a CYP3A4 inhibitor, as the effects of the inhibitor decline, the buprenorphine plasma concentration will decrease [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY], potentially resulting in decreased opioid efficacy or a withdrawal syndrome in patients who had developed physical dependence to buprenorphine. |
| Inten’ention: | If concomitant use is necessary, consider dosage reduction of BUTRANS until stable drug effects are achieved. Monitor patients for respiratory depression and sedation at frequent intervals. If a CYP3A4 inhibitor is discontinued, consider increasing the BUTRANS dosage until stable drug effects are achieved. Monitor for signs of opioid withdrawal. |
| Examples: | Macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin), azole-antifungal agents (e.g. ketoconazole), protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir) |
| CYP3A4 Inducers | |
| Clinical Impact: | The concomitant use of buprenorphine and CYP3A4 inducers can decrease the plasma concentration of buprenorphine [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY], potentially resulting in decreased efficacy or onset of a withdrawal syndrome in patients who have developed physical dependence to buprenorphine. After stopping a CYP3A4 inducer, as the effects of the inducer decline, the buprenorphine plasma concentration will increase [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY], which could increase or prolong both therapeutic effects and adverse reactions and may cause serious respiratory depression. |
| Intervention: | If concomitant use is necessary, consider increasing the BUTRANS dosage until stable drug effects are achieved. Monitor for signs of opioid withdrawal. If a CYP3A4 inducer is discontinued, consider BUTRANS dosage reduction and monitor for signs of respiratory depression. |
| Examples: | Rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin |
| Serotonergic Drugs | |
| Clinical Impact: | The concomitant use of opioids with other drugs that affect the serotonergic neurotransmitter system has resulted in serotonin syndrome. |
| Intervention: | If concomitant use is warranted, carefully observe the patient, particularly during treatment initiation and dose adjustment. Discontinue BUTRANS if serotonin syndrome is suspected. |
| Examples: | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), triptans, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, drugs that affect the serotonin neurotransmitter system (e.g., mirtazapine, trazodone, tramadol), certain muscle relaxants (i.e., cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone), monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue). |
| Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) | |
| Clinical Impact: | MAOI interactions with opioids may manifest as serotonin syndrome or opioid toxicity (e.g., respiratory depression, coma) [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS] |
| Intervention: | The use of BUTRANS is not recommended for patients taking MAOIs or within 14 days of stopping such treatment. |
| Examples: | phenelzine, tranylcypromine, linezolid |
| Mixed Agonist/Antagonist Opioid Analgesics | |
| Clinical Impact: | May reduce the analgesic effect of BUTRANS and/or precipitate withdrawal symptoms. |
| Intervention: | Avoid concomitant use. |
| Examples: | butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine |
| Muscle Relaxants | |
| Clinical Impact: | Buprenorphine may enhance the neuromuscular blocking action of skeletal muscle relaxants and produce an increased degree of respiratory depression. |
| Intervention: | Monitor patients receiving muscle relaxants and BUTRANS for signs of respiratory depression that may be greater than otherwise expected and decrease the dosage of BUTRANS and/or the muscle relaxant as necessary. |
| Diuretics | |
| Clinical Impact: | Opioids can reduce the efficacy of diuretics by inducing the release of antidiuretic hormone. |
| Intervention: | Monitor patients for signs of diminished diuresis and/or effects on blood pressure and increase the dosage of the diuretic as needed. |
| Anticholinergic Drugs | |
| Clinical Impact: | The concomitant use of opioid analgesics, including buprenorphine, and anticholinergic drugs may increase the risk of urinary retention and/or severe constipation, which may lead to paralytic ileus. |
Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Butrans (Buprenorphine Transdermal System)
&Copy; Butrans Patient Information is supplied by Cerner Multum, Inc. and Butrans Consumer information is supplied by First Databank, Inc., used under license and subject to their respective copyrights.