Posted by ed_uk on November 25, 2006, at 14:25:13
In reply to Re: Buprenorphine-UK rules? (Ask Ed), posted by notfred on November 24, 2006, at 16:35:59
Aww thanks!
Buprenorphine is available under four different brand names in the UK.....
1. Temgesic 0.2mg and 0.4mg sublingual tablets, which are approved for relief of moderate to severe pain. A Temgesic injection is also available.
2. Subutex 0.4mg, 2mg and 8mg sublingual tablets, which are approved for the treatment of opioid dependence.
3. Transtec 35mcg/hour, 52.5mcg/hour and 70mcg/hour patches, which are changed twice a week (every 3 to 4 days). Transtec is approved for use as an analgesic.
4. Butrans 5mcg/hour, 10mcg/hour and 20mcg/hour patches. The patch is changed every seven days. Butrans is used as an analgesic. Note that the dose is very low compared with other buprenorphine formulations.
In the UK, doctors do not require a special license to prescribe buprenorphine. Also, doctors have the legal right to prescribe buprenorphine for what ever condition that want to prescribe it for. In practice however, it is only prescribed for pain control and opioid dependence. If a doctor was to prescribe buprenorphine for the relief of depression (which would be extremely rare), it would probably be best for them to prescribe Temgesic, Transtec or Butrans because anyone receiving Subutex would be assumed to be opioid dependent! Temgesic (which has been around forever), has aquired a reputation in some areas for recreational use - if the aim is to treat chronic depression, I think it might be best to try Butrans or Transtec first. As a sidenote, all buprenorphine formulations are schedule 3 controlled drugs in the UK.
Regards
Ed
poster:ed_uk
thread:706244
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061123/msgs/707125.html