If you experience intense chronic pain, you might have heard of the Butrans patch as a treatment option. Butrans is the brand name for a buprenorphine patch. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that can be used to manage opioid use disorder (OUD) and chronic pain. As Mayo Clinic explains, buprenorphine patches act on the central nervous system to relieve pain. Learning more about Butrans patches and how they’re used can help you understand whether they may be right for you.
What is a buprenorphine (Butrans) patch?
Buprenorphine is a medicine that acts on the same parts of the brain as opioids. Instead of fully turning on these areas, though, it only partly activates them. This can help reduce your pain without causing you to feel high. One important feature of buprenorphine is the “ceiling effect.” The ceiling effect means that after a certain dose of buprenorphine, taking more will not strengthen the effects. This effect can help lower the risk of misuse and overdose compared to other opioids.
Buprenorphine is prescribed for multiple reasons. In the form of a Butrans patch, it is mainly used for pain relief. The Butrans patch is a small patch you stick to your skin. When you put the patch on your skin, it slowly releases buprenorphine. The medicine passes through your skin and enters your bloodstream. From there, it travels to your brain, where it helps block pain signals. The steady release of medicine prevents the ups and downs you might feel with daily pills or short-acting opioids, resulting in fewer sudden spikes of pain and fewer risks of withdrawal symptoms. Doctors typically prescribe Butrans when someone is experiencing long-term, severe, persistent pain when other treatments are inadequate.
Other medications that include buprenorphine are used to treat OUD. Buprenorphine can help lessen cravings and withdrawal effects, as well as reduce opioid misuse. While Butrans is not FDA-approved for OUD treatment, other approved medications like Suboxone and Brixadi are available.
Who can Butrans help?
Butrans can be helpful in many different situations. Butrans might be the best option for people who:
- Experience intense chronic pain — Conditions like arthritis and nerve damage can cause persistent pain. In some cases, this pain can be so intense that it disrupts a person’s daily life. Whether you’re experiencing pain due to a chronic condition or major injury, Butrans may help get your pain to a manageable level.
- Have trouble with other medications — There are many reasons why a medication might not be viable. A strong opioid medication may cause you to feel tired and sick, for example. Certain medications might not provide the level of relief you need. If other medications don’t work for you or come with adverse side effects, you may want to try Butrans.
- Are at risk of opioid misuse or addiction — If you’re concerned about developing OUD, Butrans can be a great option. Because of the gradual release and the ceiling effect, Butrans patches are less likely to be misused compared to other opioid medications. While buprenorphine may lower the risk of misuse and overuse compared to full opioid agonists, people at high risk of OUD should still be carefully evaluated and monitored by a treatment provider.
How long does a Butrans patch take to work?
After you put on a Butrans patch, while some relief can occur within a day, it may take up to 72 hours to feel the full effect, and any dosage adjustment should be monitored over at least a few days. You might not feel relief right away, but the patch should provide steady pain relief once it takes effect. Follow your health care provider’s instructions on where to place the patch for the best results.
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of the Butrans patch:
- Apply to clean skin — Place the patch on clean, dry skin. Your doctor can help you find the best spot for you. Patches are typically applied to the upper chest, back, or side.
- Avoid heat — Don’t place an external source of heat, such as a heating pad or electric blanket, near the application site. Heat can release too much medicine.
- Switch spots — Change the location of the patch each time you apply a new one. This can help you avoid skin irritation.
- Press firmly — When applying your Butrans patch, press it firmly against your skin. A firm press can help you make sure the patch sticks in place.
If you forget to change your patch on the scheduled day, apply a new patch as soon as you remember. Do not apply two patches at once. If you’re unsure what to do, contact your health care provider for advice.
Potential benefits of Butrans
- Steady relief — The patch is designed to provide continuous pain relief without sudden highs and lows.
- Increased safety — The ceiling effect of buprenorphine can reduce the risk of overdose and misuse.
- Convenient dosage — You only need to change the patch once a week, which can be more convenient than daily medications.
- Limited side effects — The negative effects of Butrans tend to be milder than those associated with stronger opioid medications. For example, research has found that buprenorphine weakens the immune system less than other opioids. One clinical study demonstrates that the safety profile of buprenorphine patches is generally favorable, with any adverse events being mild and manageable.
Potential side effects of Butrans
While Butrans can be a great treatment option, it does sometimes come with negative side effects. It’s important to be aware of these effects before receiving treatment. According to Mayo Clinic, some side effects you might experience include:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Dizziness
The Butrans patch may be a great option if you need long-term pain management or have had trouble with other pain medications. However, it’s not necessarily the right fit for everyone. Like all opioid medications, Butrans carries boxed warnings about potential misuse, addiction, and respiratory depression. It is also subject to a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program. This program is meant to prevent and manage adverse events through education and monitoring. You can talk to your doctor about the Butrans REMS program. Consulting with your doctor can also help you see whether the Butrans patch is a safe choice based on your medical history.
Butrans vs. Suboxone
Butrans and Suboxone both contain buprenorphine; however, they are very different medications taken for different purposes. While Butrans is used for pain relief, Suboxone is designed to help people with OUD stay in recovery. Understanding the differences between these medications can help ensure that you find the right treatment option for your needs.
Suboxone combines buprenorphine with another medicine called naloxone. Naloxone works by counteracting the effects of opioids. When put together, naloxone and buprenorphine help reduce cravings without creating a “high.” Suboxone is usually prescribed as a film or tablet that dissolves under the tongue. It can be an effective part of comprehensive recovery programs. If you’re in recovery, other useful forms of support might include support group meetings and life-goal assistance.
There are cases when someone using Butrans for pain may want to transition to Suboxone. For example, someone’s use of opioid pain medications prior to Butrans may lead to an OUD diagnosis. The American Psychiatric Association says an estimated 3% to 19% of people who take prescription pain medications develop an addiction to them. While pain medication can be necessary for managing one condition, it may lead to the development of a new disorder. When someone develops OUD, treatments like Suboxone can be essential.
If someone is experiencing addiction to pain medication, Suboxone can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. A key factor in managing medications is proper medical supervision. Transitioning between Suboxone and Butrans or another pain medication should involve careful medical oversight to help ensure that cravings, pain, or withdrawal symptoms are effectively managed.
Access opioid withdrawal and recovery support with Groups
If you or someone you care about is experiencing opioid addiction, Groups is here to help. We offer comprehensive support, including access to medication, group therapy sessions, and personalized life-goal assistance. We also have a library of free online resources you can explore. Our team is dedicated to helping you achieve the life you want and deserve.
You don’t have to go through recovery alone. Give our Recovery Support Specialists a call today for more information or to begin your recovery. If Groups doesn’t offer treatment in your state, you can locate other treatment options here.
