Butrans
Brand Names
ButransWhat is Butrans
Butrans is a medicine that is used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain when treatment is needed around the clock. It is a skin patch that contains buprenorphine, an opioid narcotic medication.
Side effects of Butrans
Side effects of Butrans are the followings:
- headache;
- vomiting, dry mouth, upset stomach, constipation;
- mild dizziness or drowsiness;
- redness, itching, or mild skin rash where the patch was worn.
But if you have any of these serious symptoms it is necessary to visit your doctor immediately:
- slow heart rate, weak or shallow breathing, deep sighs, snoring that is new or unusual;
- confusion, severe dizziness, feeling like you might pass out;
- blisters, swelling or severe irritation where the patch was worn;
- seizure (convulsions);
- nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice.
Indication
Butrans is used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain when treatment is needed around the clock.
Precautions
Before using Butrans you should inform your doctor if you have:
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), sleep apnea or other breathing disorders;
- a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome:
- hepatitis B or C;
- liver or kidney disease;
- a thyroid disorder;
- gallbladder disease;
- curvature of the spine;
- a history of head injury or brain tumor;
- epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
- Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorders;
- enlarged prostate, urination problems;
- depression or other mental illness;
- a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
You should not take this medication if you have:
- asthma or severe breathing disorder;
- a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus.
Dosage forms
You should apply the Butrans patch to a flat and hairless area of the chest, back, side or outer side of your upper arm and wear the patch around the clock for 7 days. You should not use the same skin area twice in a row.
