Before Starting Buprenorphine
Use this guide to prepare a starting conversation for opioid use disorder. Ask your prescriber to give you the individual medical instructions separately, and use these notes to make sure you understand how to follow them.
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Buprenorphine is a treatment for opioid use disorder that can reduce withdrawal and the desire to use opioids. Products and starting plans differ. Confirm the exact medicine and formulation prescribed for you; do not substitute another product or someone else’s instructions.
Sources: [2]
Review Safety Before the First Dose
- Tell the prescriber and pharmacist about all medicines, supplements, alcohol and other substance use. Combining buprenorphine with benzodiazepines or other sedating drugs raises serious risks. This needs coordinated medical care; it does not automatically rule out treatment.
- Do not drink alcohol while taking buprenorphine. Do not drive or use machinery until you know how the medicine affects you.
- Keep medicine secure and away from children or anyone else. Never share it. Ask the pharmacist how to dispose of unused medicine.
- Ask what to do if you miss a dose, feel worse after starting, or cannot obtain the next prescription. Do not change or stop treatment on your own.
Sources: [3]
Sources: [1]
My Prescriber Conversation
- Recent use and previous starts
- Opioids, timing, other medicines or substances, and any previous difficult start. Include what you are unsure about.
- My written starting instructions
- Medicine and formulation; where the clinician’s instructions are kept; when and where to begin; what you asked them to explain again.
- If I feel worse or miss a dose
- Specific instructions from the team; daytime and after-hours contact; when to seek urgent care.
- Getting medicine and continuing care
- Pharmacy or injection clinic, coverage and cost, availability, refills and follow-up appointment.
- Safety arrangements
- Medication review, dental care if applicable, transport, secure storage, naloxone and who knows how to use it.
These are original conversation prompts, not a diagnostic test or a dosing plan. Keep completed notes private and share only what you choose.