Don't Jump to Belbuca Before Non-Opioids for Chronic Pain

February 2016

Belbuca (bel-BYOO-kuh) buccal film will join the Butrans patch as another buprenorphine product approved for chronic pain.

Buprenorphine is a C-III...may have lower abuse potential than other opioids...and cause fewer withdrawal symptoms when it's stopped.

Buprenorphine may also be less risky in overdose. It's a partial agonist...and seems to hit a ceiling to limit respiratory depression.

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Table of Contents

Antithrombotics Don't Delay Restarting Anticoagulation in Atrial Fib Patients After GI Bleeding
Heart Failure Provide Early Follow-up to Reduce Heart Failure Readmissions
Diabetes Caution about ketoacidosis, UTIs, and other serious ADRs with the SGLT2s
Diabetes Ask Pharmacists to Help Patients Select Blood Glucose Meters
Hepatitis C Be Aware of Possible Liver Failure with Viekira Pak or Technivie
New Generics Be Aware of Meds That Will Go Generic in 2016
COPD Explain How Seebri and Utibron Stack Up Against Other Inhalers for COPD
Fall Risk Caution About Falls with SELECTIVE Alpha-blockers
Cough & Cold Avoid ORAL Phenylephrine...but Suggest INTRANASAL for Some
Neurology & Pain Don't Jump to Belbuca Before Non-Opioids for Chronic Pain
Women's Health Don't Always Shun SSRIs During Pregnancy
Practice We're hiring
Vaccines Give injections in the right spot to avoid shoulder injuries
Hyperkalemia Use Low-Cost Treatments for High Potassium