What is buprenorphine?

Buprenorphine Sublingual Tablets are supplied as white, sublingual tablets available in two dosage strengths, 2 mg buprenorphine free base and 8 mg buprenorphine free base. Each tablet also contains citric acid anhydrous, corn starch, crospovidone, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, mannitol, povidone, purified water and sodium citrate. Chemically, buprenorphine hydrochloride USP is (6R, 7R, 14S)-17-Cyclopropylmethyl-7,8-dihydro-7-[(1S)-1-hydroxy-1,2,2-trimethylpropyl]-6-O-methyl-6,14-ethano-17-normorphine hydrochloride. It has the following chemical structure: Buprenorphine hydrochloride USP has the molecular formula C 29 H 41 NO 4 • HCl and the molecular weight is 504.12. It is a white or almost white crystalline powder, sparingly soluble in water, freely soluble in methanol, soluble in alcohol and practically insoluble in cyclohexane. buprenorphine-hcl-chem-figure.jpg

What kind of drug is buprenorphine?

The FDA classifies buprenorphine as a partial opioid agonist. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take buprenorphine with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run buprenorphine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is buprenorphine sold under?

We track 7 buprenorphine-containing products in the U.S.: Buprenorphine Hydrochloride, Belbuca, Brixadi, Buprenex, Probuphine, Sublocade and Subutex. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does buprenorphine come in?

Across the brands we track, buprenorphine is currently marketed as injectable, solution, tablet, film, soluble and implant, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic buprenorphine?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic buprenorphine product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Has buprenorphine been recalled?

The FDA's Enforcement database lists 3 recall records whose product description mentions buprenorphine. The most recent: Buprenorphine HCl (Jun 12, 2026). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

Buprenorphine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist sold in the U.S. under 7 brand and generic names, for heroin dependence and pain. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Partial Opioid Agonist
Treats: Heroin Dependence and Pain
Available as: Injectable · Solution · Tablet · Film · Soluble · Implant
Sold as: 7 products — Buprenorphine Hydrochloride, Belbuca and Brixadi, and others
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Typical price: about $681 for a 30-count supply
Boxed warning: Boxed warning

How buprenorphine is dosed

From the FDA label for Buprenorphine Hydrochloride (application ANDA078633). Other buprenorphine products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Prescription use of this product is limited under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act. ( 2.1 ) Administer buprenorphine sublingual tablet sublingually as a single daily dose. ( 2.2 ) To avoid precipitating withdrawal, induction with buprenorphine sublingual tablet should be undertaken when objective and clear signs of withdrawal are evident. ( 2.3 ). Buprenorphine and naloxone sublingual film or buprenorphine and naloxone sublingual tablets are generally initiated after two days of buprenorphine sublingual tablet titration. ( 2.3 ) Administer buprenorphine sublingual tablets as directed in the Full Prescribing Information ( 2.3 , 2.4 ). Buprenorphine Sublingual Tablets must be administered whole. Do not cut, chew, or swallow Buprenorphine Sublingual Tablets. ( 2.5 ) When discontinuing treatment, gradually taper to avoid signs and symptoms of withdrawal. ( 2.9 ) 2.1 Drug Addiction Treatment Act Under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act (DATA) codified at 21 U.S.C. 823(g), prescription use of this product in the treatment of opioid dependence is limited to healthcare providers who meet certain qualifying requirements, and who have notified the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) of their intent to prescribe this product for the treatment of opioid dependence and have been assigned a unique identification number that must be included on every prescription. 2.2 Important Dosage…

Buprenorphine side effects

The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Respiratory and CNS Depression [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Adrenal Insufficiency [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Opioid Withdrawal [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 , 5.10 )] Hepatitis, Hepatic Events [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] Orthostatic Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.14 )] Elevation of Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.15 )] Elevation of Intracholedochal Pressure [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.16 )] Adverse events commonly observed with administration of Buprenorphine Sublingual Tablets are oral hypoesthesia, glossodynia, oral mucosal erythema, headache, nausea, vomiting, hyperhidrosis, constipation, signs and symptoms of withdrawal, insomnia, pain, and peripheral edema. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact West-Ward Pharmaceuticals Corp. at 1-800-962-8364 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials 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…

Every buprenorphine product we track (7)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Buprenorphine products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Buprenorphine Hydrochloride	70/100	Prescription	Injectable	Generic	$681	View →
2	Belbuca Boxed warning

What buprenorphine pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Buprenorphine pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
8;6	8.6 mg / 2.1 mg	white	diamond	—
11;4	11.4 mg / 2.9 mg	white	capsule	—
5;7	5.7 mg / 1.4 mg	white	round	—
7	0.7 mg / 0.18 mg	white	oval	—
2;9	2.9 mg / 0.71 mg	white	semi-circle	—
1;4	1.4 mg / 0.36 mg

Combination products containing buprenorphine

A combination is a different drug — different dosing, different warnings. It is listed here so you can find it, not so you can substitute it.

Buprenorphine recalls

From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.

Frequently asked questions

What is buprenorphine?: Buprenorphine Sublingual Tablets are supplied as white, sublingual tablets available in two dosage strengths, 2 mg buprenorphine free base and 8 mg buprenorphine free base. Each tablet also contains citric acid anhydrous, corn starch, crospovidone, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, mannitol, povidone, purified water and sodium citrate. Chemically, buprenorphine hydrochloride USP is (6R, 7R, 14S)-17-Cyclopropylmethyl-7,8-dihydro-7-[(1S)-1-hydroxy-1,2,2-trimethylpropyl]-6-O-methyl-6,14-ethano-17-normorphine hydrochloride. It has the following chemical structure: Buprenorphine hydrochloride USP has the molecular formula C 29 H 41 NO 4 • HCl and the molecular weight is 504.12. It is a white or almost white crystalline powder, sparingly soluble in water, freely soluble in methanol, soluble in alcohol and practically insoluble in cyclohexane. buprenorphine-hcl-chem-figure.jpg
What kind of drug is buprenorphine?: The FDA classifies buprenorphine as a partial opioid agonist. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take buprenorphine with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run buprenorphine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is buprenorphine sold under?: We track 7 buprenorphine-containing products in the U.S.: Buprenorphine Hydrochloride, Belbuca, Brixadi, Buprenex, Probuphine, Sublocade and Subutex. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does buprenorphine come in?: Across the brands we track, buprenorphine is currently marketed as injectable, solution, tablet, film, soluble and implant, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.