Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine (byoo-pre-NOR-feen) is a medication primarily used in the treatment of opioid addiction and pain management. It is a semi-synthetic opioid derived from thebaine, a naturally occurring substance found in the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum.

Etymology

The term "Buprenorphine" is derived from the words "buprenorphine hydrochloride", the full name of the drug. The prefix "bupren-" is derived from "buprenorphine", and "-ine" is a common suffix used in the names of alkaloids.

Pharmacology

Buprenorphine acts as a partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor and an antagonist at the kappa-opioid receptor. It is classified as a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act in the United States due to its potential for misuse and addiction.

Medical Uses

Buprenorphine is used in medicine for the treatment of opioid addiction and for pain management. It is often combined with naloxone in a medication called Suboxone to prevent misuse.

Side Effects

Common side effects of buprenorphine include nausea, vomiting, constipation, and drowsiness. Serious side effects may include respiratory depression and dependence.

Related Terms

• Opioid
• Thebaine
• Mu-opioid receptor
• Kappa-opioid receptor
• Naloxone
• Suboxone

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Buprenorphine
• Wikipedia's article - Buprenorphine

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