Buprenorphine Sandoz
This medicine is a patch containing buprenorphine, used by adults to treat moderate to severe long-lasting pain when strong pain relief is needed.
Form
depotlaastari
Strength
40 mikrog/tunti
Active Ingredient
Buprenorphine
Manufacturer
Sandoz A/S
How to Use
Dosage
Apply one patch to your skin and change it every seven days.
Method
The patch is applied to the skin, where the medicine is absorbed into the bloodstream to relieve pain.
Important
Do not use more than two patches at the same time, with a total maximum dose of 40 micrograms per hour.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Headache, dizziness, drowsiness
- •Constipation, nausea or vomiting
- •Skin itching, skin redness
- •Rash, itching, redness, inflammation or swelling at the application site
- •Loss of appetite
- •Confusion, depression, anxiety, sleeping problems, nervousness, tremor
- •Shortness of breath
- •Abdominal pain or discomfort, diarrhea, indigestion, dry mouth
- •Sweating, rash, skin changes
- •Fatigue, unusual weakness, muscle weakness, swelling e.g. in hands, ankles or feet
RARE
- •Restlessness, agitation, strong feeling of well-being, hallucinations, nightmares, decreased libido, aggressiveness
- •Changes in taste, speech difficulties, decreased pain sensation or touch, tingling or numbness
- •Memory impairment, migraine, fainting, difficulty concentrating and coordinating
- •Dry eyes, blurred vision
- •Ringing or buzzing in the ears
- •Vertigo or spinning sensation
- •High or low blood pressure, chest pain, rapid heart rate, palpitations, skin flushing
- •Cough, hiccups, wheezing
- •Flatulence
- •Weight loss
- •Dry skin
- •Muscle spasms, aches and pains
- •Delayed urination, difficulty urinating, urinary incontinence
- •Fever
- •Increased accidents (e.g. falls)
- •Withdrawal symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, sweating or tremor when stopping Buprenorphine Sandoz patches
- •Angina (chest pain related to heart disease)
- •Mental disorders
- •Balance problems
- •Swelling of eyelids or face, narrowed pupils
- •Breathing difficulties, worsening asthma, unusually strong breathing
- •Dizziness, especially when standing up
- •Skin redness
- •Difficulty swallowing, bowel obstruction
- •Local allergic reaction with clear signs of swelling (treatment should then be stopped)
- •Swelling and irritation in the nose
- •Decreased erection, sexual dysfunction
- •Flu-like symptoms
- •Dehydration
- •Muscle twitching
- •Mood swings
- •Ear pain
- •Blisters
- •Drug dependence
- •Sleep-related breathing problems (sleep apnea)
- •Epileptic seizures or convulsions
- •Inflammation of the intestinal wall. Symptoms may include fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain or discomfort.
- •Increased pain sensitivity
- •Colic-like abdominal pain or discomfort
- •Feeling detached from oneself
- •Newborn withdrawal symptoms (e.g. high-pitched crying, irritability, restlessness, tremors, feeding difficulties, sweating, and failure to gain weight)
- •Tolerance (need for increased doses to achieve the same pain relief)
- •Contact dermatitis (rash, inflammation and burning sensation), skin discoloration
Important Warnings
- Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to buprenorphine, have severe breathing problems, drug addiction, or a muscle weakness condition.
- Talk to your doctor if you have a history of seizures, liver problems, high fever, or if you are taking antidepressants or other sedatives, as these can increase the risk of side effects.
- Avoid alcohol, and do not drive or operate machinery if the medicine makes you dizzy or drowsy.
- Do not expose the patch to strong heat, such as heat pads or saunas, as this can increase medicine absorption.
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)