Buprenorphine Ratiopharm
Buprenorphine ratiopharm is a patch that helps relieve long-lasting, moderate to severe pain, and it is not used for short-term pain.
Form
depotlaastari
Strength
5 mikrog/tunti
Active Ingredient
Buprenorphine
Manufacturer
ratiopharm GmbH
How to Use
Dosage
Apply one patch to your skin and change it every seven days, preferably at the same time of day.
Method
Apply the patch to a clean, dry, and unbroken skin area on your upper arm, chest, upper back, or side. Press the patch firmly against your skin with your palm for about 30 seconds to ensure it sticks well.
Important
Do not use more than two patches at a time. The maximum total dose is 40 micrograms per hour.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Headache, dizziness, drowsiness
- •Constipation, feeling sick or throwing up
- •Itching or redness of the skin
- •Rash, redness, itching, inflammation, or swelling where the patch was applied
RARE
- •Loss of appetite
- •Feeling confused, sad, anxious, nervous, or having trouble sleeping or shaking
- •Shortness of breath
- •Stomach pain or discomfort, diarrhea, indigestion, or dry mouth
- •Sweating, skin rash, or other skin reactions
- •Feeling tired, unusually weak, having weak muscles, or swelling in hands, ankles, or feet
- •Allergic reactions
- •Feeling restless, agitated, having mood swings, seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations), nightmares, less interest in sex, or aggression
- •Changes in taste, difficulty speaking, numbness, tingling, or decreased sensation of pain or touch
- •Sedation (feeling very calm or sleepy)
- •Memory loss, migraine, fainting, or trouble concentrating or coordinating movements
- •Dry eyes or blurred vision
- •Ringing in ears, dizziness, or a spinning sensation
- •High or low blood pressure, chest pain, or a fast or irregular heartbeat
- •Cough, hiccups, or wheezing
- •Gas in the stomach or intestines
- •Weight loss
- •Dry skin or hives
- •Muscle cramps, pain, or aches
- •Difficulty starting to urinate, inability to control urine, or inability to fully empty your bladder
- •Fever, chills, or redness of the skin
- •Increased risk of accidents (like falls)
- •Withdrawal symptoms (like feeling agitated, anxious, sweating, or shaking) if treatment is stopped
- •Mental disorders
- •Balance problems
- •Worsening of asthma or unusually strong breathing
- •Difficulty swallowing or bowel blockage
- •Swelling and irritation inside the nose
- •Erectile dysfunction or other sexual problems
- •Flu-like symptoms
- •Dehydration
- •Mood swings or dependence on medicine
- •Muscle twitching
- •Earache
- •Blisters
- •Sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep)
- •Seizures
- •Inflammation of the bowel wall (with symptoms like fever, vomiting, or stomach pain)
- •Colic-like stomach pain or stomach discomfort
- •Feeling detached from oneself
- •Withdrawal symptoms in babies whose mothers took this medicine during pregnancy (e.g., high-pitched crying, irritability, tremors, feeding difficulties, sweating, lack of weight gain)
- •Contact dermatitis (skin rash with inflammation and burning sensation), skin discoloration
Important Warnings
- Do not use if you are allergic to buprenorphine or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not use if you have severe breathing problems or a severe liver condition.
- Do not use if you are dependent on other medicines or have had withdrawal symptoms from alcohol.
- Do not use if you are taking or have recently taken certain antidepressants called MAO inhibitors (within the last two weeks).
- This medicine is not for people under 18 years old.
Show 6 more warnings
- Avoid high temperatures (like saunas, hot baths, heating pads) while wearing the patch, as this can release too much medicine.
- This medicine can cause sleep-related breathing problems (sleep apnea) or make existing ones worse. Talk to your doctor if you notice this.
- This medicine is an opioid and can lead to dependence and addiction, which could be life-threatening if overdosed.
- Do not use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to get pregnant, unless your doctor tells you to.
- This medicine can affect your ability to drive or use machines. Do not drive or operate machines if you feel dizzy, drowsy, or have blurred vision.
- If you need blood tests, tell your doctor you are using this patch, as it can affect liver function test results.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category C
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Sedative. Low transdermal efficacy in cachectic patients. Increases the risk of confusion and falling. Need for laxative is often necessary. (updated 24.3.2025)