AHFS Class:

28:08.12 Opioid Partial Agonists

Generic Name

• Buprenorphine Hydrochloride

Buprenorphine hydrochloride is available as a 0.3-mg/mL solution for injection in 1-mL single-dose vials and syringe cartridges.³⁹⁵⁷; ³⁹⁵⁸ Each mL contains the equivalent of buprenorphine 0.3 mg (as the hydrochloride) with anhydrous dextrose 50 mg in water for injection.³⁹⁵⁷; ³⁹⁵⁸ The pH is adjusted with hydrochloric acid.³⁹⁵⁷; ³⁹⁵⁸

An extended-release injection of buprenorphine for subcutaneous use in prefilled syringes is available.³⁹⁵⁹ Consult specific product labeling for information about the extended-release injection.

CAUTION: Care should be taken to ensure that the correct drug product is used and that no confusion with other products occurs.

Equivalency

Buprenorphine hydrochloride 0.324 mg is equivalent to 0.3 mg buprenorphine.³⁹⁵⁷

pH

3.5 to 5.5.³⁹⁵⁸

Osmolality

The osmolality was 297 mOsm/kg.¹²³³

Trade Name(s)

Buprenex

Buprenorphine hydrochloride is administered by deep intramuscular injection or by intravenous injection slowly over at least 2 minutes.³⁹⁵⁷ It also has been given by continuous intravenous infusion at a concentration of 15 mcg/mL in sodium chloride 0.9% and by epidural injection at a concentration of 6 to 30 mcg/mL.⁴

Buprenorphine hydrochloride injection is a clear solution.³⁹⁵⁷; ³⁹⁵⁸ Intact containers should be stored at controlled room temperature and protected from prolonged exposure to light.³⁹⁵⁷; ³⁹⁵⁸ The manufacturer states syringe cartridges should be retained in the carton until time of use.³⁹⁵⁸

Buprenorphine hydrochloride may undergo substantial decomposition when autoclaved.⁴

Central Venous Catheter

Buprenorphine hydrochloride (Reckitt & Colman) 0.04 mg/mL in dextrose 5% was found to be compatible with the ARROWg+ard Blue Plus (Arrow International) chlorhexidine-bearing triple-lumen central catheter. Essentially complete delivery of the drug was found with little or no drug loss occurring. Furthermore, chlorhexidine delivered from the catheter remained at trace amounts with no substantial increase due to the delivery of the drug through the catheter.²³³⁵

Solution Compatibility

Additive Compatibility

Drugs in Syringe Compatibility

Y-Site Injection Compatibility (1:1 Mixture)

For a list of references cited in the text of this monograph, search the monograph titled References.

ASHP^® Injectable Drug Information^TM. Selected Revisions March 31, 2024. © Copyright, 2024. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists^®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.