HEPATITIS B and hepatitis C, particularly when
donation circumvents usual donor screening and
collection procedures to minimize detection of the
transfusions.
See also ANABOLIC STEROIDS AND STEROID PRECUR-
SORS; ERYTHROCYTE; PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING SUB-
STANCES; RECOMBINANT DNA.
buprenorphine A DRUGadministered therapeuti-
cally to treat opiate ADDICTION. Buprenorphine is
available in two formulations: buprenorphine
alone for use during DETOXIFICATION; and buprenor-
phine in combination with NALTREXONE, an opiate
antagonist, for long-term use to help prevent
recurrence. In the United States buprenorphine is
one of the SCHEDULED DRUGS, available only by pre-
scription from a physician who has completed an
approved program for its appropriate use in SUB-
STANCE ABUSE TREATMENT.
Buprenorphine for opiate addiction treatment
is available as sublingual tablets that dissolve
under the tongue, releasing buprenorphine for
absorption into the BLOODcirculation through the
mucosa of the MOUTH. Administered in this way,
buprenorphine has an extraordinarily long HALF-
LIFEin the body. Because of this, dosing is often
every other day in the maintenance phase of
treatment. However, it is possible to crush the
tablets and mix them with water for injection,
which results in a “high” similar to that of HEROIN
or other OPIATES. To prevent this, doctors prescribe
the buprenorphine with naltrexone formulation
(brand name Suboxone in the United States) to
help maintain SOBRIETYafter initial detoxification
when drug cravings may intensify. Very little nal-
trexone enters the blood circulation through sub-
lingual absorption. However, high amounts enter
the blood circulation when dissolved and injected.
Buprenorphine is a synthetic drug that partially
binds with opiate receptors, which is enough to
activate an opiate response in the body without an
intoxication effect. Because of this binding, it is
possible to develop a physical DEPENDENCE to
buprenorphine. Substance abuse treatment pro-
grams taper the dosage over a period of time to
wean the body from dependence. Buprenorphine
is also available as an analgesic medication (PAIN
reliever), which doctors prescribe primarily for
pain relief after surgery. Undesired side effects
associated with buprenorphine include drowsi-
ness, NAUSEA, CONSTIPATION, and HYPOTENSION(low
BLOOD PRESSURE). Buprenorphine OVERDOSE can
cause potentially fatal respiratory depression.
See also CYTOCHROME P 450 (CYP 450 ) ENZYMES;
LEVO-ALPHA ACETYLMETHADOL (LAAM); METHADONE;
PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE.buprenorphine 325