{"id":1650,"date":"2021-02-19T16:34:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-19T21:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.therecoveryvillage.com\/?page_id=1650"},"modified":"2022-05-26T13:29:26","modified_gmt":"2022-05-26T17:29:26","slug":"belbuca-addiction","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.therecoveryvillage.com\/belbuca-addiction\/","title":{"rendered":"Belbuca (Buprenorphine) Addiction"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What Is Belbuca (Buprenorphine)?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Belbuca<\/a> is a strong opioid pain medication. The generic active ingredient is buprenorphine, prescribed to treat severe around-the-clock pain. Belbuca is a film, and it\u2019s used when other pain medications including non-opioids or immediate-release narcotics aren\u2019t effective. Belbuca is a film placed in the lining of the cheek. The FDA only recently approved Belbuca, and it\u2019s the first buccal buprenorphine formula approved to treat pain. When someone uses Belbuca, the film dissolves on their cheek lining. While Belbuca is a relatively new product, buprenorphine isn\u2019t. Buprenorphine is often used as a treatment for opioid use disorder<\/a> as well as severe chronic pain. The structure of buprenorphine is similar to opioids like oxycodone and hydromorphone, but it works differently. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist of opioid receptors. This means that while it does activate the same receptors as opioid drugs of misuse, it does so in a milder way. There is also a ceiling effect on buprenorphine. Even if someone attempts to increase the dosage they use to get more of an effect, it won\u2019t increase the effects beyond a certain point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the common side effects of Belbuca<\/a> can include sleep problems, such as insomnia, headache and sweating. Also possible are gastrointestinal problems like constipation, nausea and vomiting. As with other narcotics, there is a potential for respiratory depression with Belbecua. Severe side effects requiring immediate medical attention can include dizziness, loss of coordination, chest pain or problems breathing. Other severe side effects with Belbecua can include shallow breathing, sexual problems, confusion or changes in mood and behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does Belbuca Look Like?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Belbuca is a dissolvable film that\u2019s small, square and yellow. When someone is prescribed Belbuca, it adheres to what is called the buccal mucosa, and it should be fully dissolved within around 30 minutes. Belbuca requires more frequent dosing than something like Butrans. For example, Butrans is usually prescribed to be taken every 24 hours. Belbeuca is typically taken every 12 hours for around-the-clock pain management. There are many Belbecua dosages available. These dosages include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n