buprenorphine

[ byoo-pruh-nawr-feen ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a narcotic analgesic, C 29 H 41 NO 4 , sometimes administered in the form of its hydrochloride and used for pain relief and as a treatment for opioid addiction.

buprenorphine

/ bjuːˈprɛnɔːfiːn /

noun

1. an opiate used medicinally as a powerful analgesic

Word History and Origins

Origin of buprenorphine¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

In 2023, buprenorphine became even easier to prescribe, yet primary care providers are still hesitant to begin prescribing it, likely due to fear and stigma.

From Salon

Perry also had multiple drugs in his system, including buprenorphine, a drug that treats opioid use disorder.

From Salon

It’s unclear what is causing the current decline, yet some have speculated that it could be due to ramped up harm reduction programs, increased access to substance use medications like buprenorphine, changes in the drug supply, or, likely, some combination of these factors.

From Salon

Others attribute the decrease to the increased availability of naloxone and medication-assisted treatment like buprenorphine used to treat opioid use disorder.

From Salon

Other contributing factors were coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, which is used to treat opioid use disorder.

From BBC