Norspan
Norspan transdermal patches contain buprenorphine, a strong painkiller used to treat moderate to severe long-lasting pain that requires strong painkillers, but should not be used for acute pain.
Form
depotlaastari
Strength
40 mikrog/tunti
Active Ingredient
Buprenorphine
Manufacturer
Mundipharma Oy
How to Use
Dosage
Apply one Norspan patch to the skin and change it every seven days, preferably at the same time of day.
Method
Apply the patch to an intact, non-irritated skin area (e.g., outer arm, upper chest, upper back, or side), press firmly with your palm for 30 seconds, and ensure full contact.
Important
Do not use more than two patches at the same time, with a maximum total dose of 40 micrograms per hour (40 µg/h).
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Headache, dizziness, drowsiness
- •Constipation, nausea or vomiting
- •Skin itching
- •Application site rash, redness, itching, inflammation, or swelling
- •Loss of appetite
- •Confusion, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, nervousness, tremor
- •Shortness of breath
- •Abdominal pain or discomfort, diarrhea, indigestion, dry mouth
- •Sweating, rash, skin changes
- •Fatigue, unusual weakness, muscle weakness, swelling of hands, ankles, and feet
RARE
- •Restlessness, agitation, extreme feeling of well-being, hallucinations, nightmares, decreased libido, aggression
- •Taste disturbances, speech difficulties, decreased pain or touch sensation, tingling or numbness
- •Memory loss, migraine, fainting, concentration and coordination difficulties
- •Dry eyes, blurred vision
- •Ringing or buzzing in the ears, dizziness or vertigo
- •High or low blood pressure, chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeat
- •Cough, hiccups, wheezing
- •Flatulence
- •Weight loss
- •Dry skin
- •Muscle spasms, aches and pains
- •Difficulty urinating
- •Urinary retention
- •Fever
- •Increased incidence of accidents (e.g., falls)
- •Withdrawal symptoms, such as agitation, anxiety, sweating, or chills when stopping Norspan treatment
- •Chest pain (associated with heart disease)
- •Psychiatric disorders
- •Balance problems
- •Eyelid or facial swelling, constricted pupils
- •Breathing difficulties, worsening asthma, unusually strong breathing
- •Dizziness, especially when standing up
- •Difficulty swallowing
- •Local allergic reaction with clear signs of swelling (treatment should be stopped in such cases)
- •Swelling and irritation in the nose
- •Erectile dysfunction, sexual dysfunction
- •Flu-like symptoms
- •Skin redness
- •Dehydration
- •Muscle twitching
- •Mood swings
- •Ear pain
- •Blisters
- •Sleep-related breathing disorders (sleep apnea syndrome)
- •Seizures
- •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
- •Withdrawal symptoms in babies born to mothers who used Norspan during pregnancy, such as high-pitched crying, irritability, restlessness, tremor, feeding difficulties, sweating, and failure to gain weight
- •Need to take ever-increasing doses of this medicine to achieve the same pain relief (tolerance)
- •Contact dermatitis (rash with inflammation and possible stinging 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 breathing difficulties.
- Do not use if you have drug dependence.
- Do not use if you are taking MAO inhibitors (MAOIs) or have taken them within the last two weeks.
- Do not use if you have myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakness disease).
Show 16 more warnings
- Do not use if you have experienced withdrawal symptoms like restlessness, anxiety, tremor, or sweating when stopping alcohol use.
- If you are taking antidepressants, discuss with your doctor as co-administration with Norspan may lead to serotonin syndrome.
- Discuss with your doctor if you have a history of seizures or convulsions.
- Discuss with your doctor if you suffer from sleep apnea (breathing pauses during sleep).
- Discuss with your doctor if you have severe headache or nausea due to head injury, or increased intracranial pressure.
- Discuss with your doctor if you feel dizzy or faint.
- Discuss with your doctor if you have severe liver problems.
- Discuss with your doctor if you or a family member has a history of alcohol, prescription drug, or illicit drug abuse or dependence.
- Discuss with your doctor if you smoke.
- Discuss with your doctor if you have a history of mood problems (depression, anxiety, personality disorder) or have received psychiatric treatment for other mental illnesses.
- Discuss with your doctor if you have a high body temperature, as this may increase the absorption of the active substance from the patch.
- Discuss with your doctor if you have constipation.
- Avoid alcohol while using Norspan patches, as it can worsen side effects and affect your reaction speed.
- Do not use Norspan patches if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, unless specifically advised by your doctor after a thorough assessment of benefits and risks.
- Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision during Norspan treatment or within 24 hours after removing the patch.
- This medicine should not be given to children under 18 years of age.
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)