Buprenorphine Ratiopharm
Buprenorphine ratiopharm is a strong pain medication used to treat moderate to severe long-lasting pain.
Form
depotlaastari
Strength
20 mikrog/tunti
Active Ingredient
Buprenorphine
Manufacturer
ratiopharm GmbH
How to Use
Dosage
Apply one patch to your skin.
Method
Change the patch for a new one every seven days, preferably at the same time of day. Choose an undamaged, hairless area of skin on your upper arm, upper chest, upper back, or side. Clean the skin with cool or lukewarm water, without soap or alcohol, and ensure it is dry before applying.
Important
Do not use more than two patches at the same time, or a total dose exceeding 40 micrograms/hour.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Headache
- •Dizziness
- •Drowsiness
- •Constipation
- •Nausea
- •Vomiting
- •Skin itching
- •Redness
- •Rash, redness, itching, inflammation, or swelling at the application site
- •Loss of appetite
- •Confusion
- •Depression
- •Anxiety
- •Sleep problems, difficulty sleeping
- •Nervousness
- •Tremors
- •Shortness of breath
- •Abdominal pain or discomfort
- •Diarrhea
- •Indigestion
- •Dry mouth
- •Sweating
- •Rash
- •Other skin reactions
- •Fatigue
- •Unusual weakness
- •Muscle weakness
- •Swelling in hands, ankles, or feet
RARE
- •Hypersensitivity (allergic reaction)
- •Restlessness, agitation
- •Extreme happiness, mood swings
- •Hallucinations
- •Nightmares
- •Decreased sex drive
- •Aggressiveness
- •Changes in taste
- •Difficulty speaking
- •Decreased sensation to pain or touch
- •Tingling or numbness
- •Sedation
- •Memory loss
- •Migraine
- •Fainting
- •Problems with concentration or coordination
- •Dry eyes
- •Blurred vision
- •Ringing or buzzing in ears
- •Vertigo (spinning sensation)
- •High or low blood pressure
- •Circulatory collapse
- •Chest pain
- •Fast or irregular heartbeat
- •Cough
- •Hiccups
- •Wheezing
- •Flatulence (gas)
- •Weight loss
- •Dry skin, hives
- •Muscle spasms, pain in muscles
- •Difficulty starting urination
- •Urinary incontinence
- •Inability to completely empty the bladder
- •Swelling
- •Fever, chills
- •Increased risk of accidents (e.g., falls)
- •Withdrawal symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, sweating, or shaking
- •Chest pain (heart-related)
- •Mental disorders
- •Balance problems
- •Vision problems
- •Swelling of eyelids or face
- •Smaller pupils than usual
- •Worsening of asthma
- •Unusually strong breathing
- •Dizziness, especially when standing up
- •Difficulty swallowing
- •Bowel obstruction (ileus)
- •Local allergic reaction with clear signs of swelling (treatment should be stopped)
- •Swelling and irritation inside the nose
- •Erectile dysfunction
- •Sexual dysfunction
- •Flu-like symptoms
- •Dehydration
- •Mood swings
- •Drug dependence
- •Muscle twitching
- •Ear pain
- •Blisters
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 difficulties.
- Do not use if you have drug dependence or a history of withdrawal symptoms after stopping alcohol. This medicine is not for treating drug withdrawal.
- Do not use if you are taking or have taken MAO inhibitors (a type of antidepressant) in the last two weeks.
- Do not use if you have myasthenia gravis (a disease causing muscle weakness).
Show 11 more warnings
- This medicine should not be used in children under 18 years of age.
- Do not use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, think you might be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, unless your doctor tells you to.
- This medicine can make you drowsy or dizzy and affect your vision, so do not drive or use machines during treatment or for 24 hours after removing the last patch.
- Avoid exposing the patch to high heat sources like heating pads, electric blankets, saunas, hot baths, or hot water bottles, as this can increase medicine absorption.
- Do not cut or divide patches, and never apply more than two patches at a time.
- Do not apply the patch to red, irritated, or damaged skin, or over scars. Do not use lotions, creams, or ointments on the application area. Clean skin with cool or lukewarm water, without soap or alcohol.
- This medicine can cause sleep-related breathing problems (sleep apnea). Contact your doctor if you notice breathing pauses during sleep, nighttime waking due to shortness of breath, or excessive daytime sleepiness.
- If you are taking antidepressants, discuss with your doctor, as combining them with this medicine can cause a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome.
- Repeated use can lead to dependence, abuse, and addiction, with a risk of life-threatening overdose.
- Do not stop using the patches suddenly without consulting your doctor, as your pain may return and you might experience withdrawal symptoms.
- Wait at least 24 hours after removing the patch before starting new strong opioid painkillers.
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)