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Tuesday, 20 November 2018

Facts On Buprenorphine Memphis Residents Should Know

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By Virginia Russell


Opioids are therapeutic drugs that are mostly used for pain management. They are prescription only medication in many places because of their well known side effects, addictive properties and the presence of withdrawal symptoms when their use is stopped. Buprenorphine is one of the drugs used in the treatment of opioid withdrawal. There are a number of things on buprenorphine Memphis residents should know.

This drug is classified as a mixed opioid agonist-antagonists. This means that It can activate or inhibit the opioid receptors thus may cause opposing actions in different circumstances. To be more effective, the drug should not be used in isolation. Rather, it should be used alongside other methods of rehabilitation such as behavioural modification and counselling.

Pain management is one of the other common indications of buprenorphine. For this specific purpose, the drug is available in several formulations that include a tablet, a dermal patch and an injection. The choice of what route to use is mainly determined by the nature of the underlying illness. For instance, chronic pain such as that resulting from cancer, would be best managed by use of the dermal patch.

If you are given the drugs to be used at home, you need to take time and read through the drug information sheet which usually accompanies it. Ensure that you understand all that is written and if you have any doubts, make a point of getting in touch with your doctor or pharmacist. The information sheet will inform you of how the drug should be taken and what you should look out for as side effects.

The formulations that is available for use in controlling withdrawal symptoms is a tablet. This tablet is administered through the sublingual route. What this means is that it is put below the tongue from where it dissolves slowly into the bloodstream. This takes between five and ten minutes, on average. The number of tablets prescribed depends on the severity of the condition. If you are instructed to have two tablets at a time, you may place them at the same time or one after the other.

It is important to adhere to the instructions given by your doctor if the drug is to serve its intended purpose. Do not swallow the tablets as this would render them ineffective. Some people try to turn it into an injection in a bid to make it work faster. This should never be attempted as it is known cause severe withdrawal symptoms.

Ironically, buprenorphine may itself cause withdrawal symptoms if it has been in use for a long period of time. Such will include restlessness, tearing, runny nose, sweating and muscular pains. One of the ways of reducing the risk of suffering this effects, is to ensure that the dose is reduced gradually before being stopped eventually. Other side effects may include respiratory depression, low blood pressure and allergies.

Buprenorphine has itself found to cause withdrawal symptoms especially if used regularly over a long period of time. Such symptoms may include a state of restlessness, sweating, a running nose, tearing and muscular pains among others. To minimize the risk of suffering these symptoms, it is recommended that the dose should be tapered gradually rather than stopped suddenly.




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