What is Buvidal? A New Approach to Treatment

You may be wondering: What is Buvidal? Is it a a new apporach to treatment?

In short, it is a different way of taking the established medication Buprenorphine (Subutex) for heroin addiction and reliance on opioid pain killers. As such it is not a new drug, but a new way of taking the drug. Instead of having to take an oral medication, you receive an injection weekly (or, after a time, monthly).

Our experienced addictions clinicians here at Find Me a Rehab have many years direct clinical experience prescribing Buvidal. They provide Free 24 Hour Addiction Advice. If you need Free Clinician Drug Advice call or email us. All enquiries are treated in the strictest of confidence. Our advice is always free and impartial.

It is sometimes available through your local statutory drug and alcohol service (without charge) and is widely available at many private GP’s and addiction services. All free drug and alcohol services are provided through your local authority. Commonly, they will contract in a charity, private company or the NHS to provide the service. You can only receive free treatment in your local area. If your local service is not offering Buvidal, you can not go and use another service. The first thing they will ask is proof of residency in the area.

With Buvidal there is no requirement to attend a chemist daily, as there would be with Buprenorphine (Subutex). While it is not an injection you can do yourself at home as with Diabetes or weight loss, it is a very quick, relatively painless procedure.

What is the main ingredient of Buvidal?

Buvidal contains a widely used medication called Buprenorphine (Subutex). This is an opioid but is different from Methadone. There are two main types of medication: Agonists and Antagonists: Buvidal actually sits across the two and is know as a partial agonist.

Agonist medications open up chemical pathways in the brain whereas antagonists close them. Buvidal partially opens certain opioid pathways. A simpler analogy would be an agonist opens a tap, an antagonist turns it off: A partial agonist turns it on halfway!

Buvidal blocks pain pathways in the brain. The active ingredient, Buprenorphine (Subutex) can be used for pain control in the same way that Methadone is used for drug dependency as well as pain control.

Buvidal binds, very strongly, to opioid receptors in the brain which means that, before you start on the injections you must be in withdrawal. If you start treatment before this, the medication will force you into withdrawal as it will “knock off” opioids from the pathways in the brain. This is not, necessarily, dangerous but would be very, very uncomfortable. Should this happen, there is a risk of overdose because the person would try and subdue withdrawal by using a large quantity of opioids.

Our experienced addictions clinicians here at Find Me a Rehab have many years direct clinical experience prescribing Buvidal. They provide Free 24 Hour Addiction Advice. If you need Free Clinician Drug Advice call or email us. All enquiries are treated in the strictest of confidence. Our advice is always free and impartial.

Can I start Buvidal in rehab?

Yes! While the traditional treatment plan for opioid (Heroin) addiction is available using Methadone or oral Buprenorphine in rehab, Buvidal is also available. While not widely available in the private sector, it may be possible to go in for a detox using Buvidal should rehab not be an option for you.

Buvidal is a blocker: True of false?

It is often said that two things can be true at the same time: In this case that is correct! Buvidal will block against itself. This means that , though not impossible, you can overdose on Buvidal. If you throw a brick at a pair of curtains it will , usually, fall off. If you keep doing it, you will , in time, break the glass window behind them.

What if I am already on Methadone or Subutex?

There are very established protocols for those already on Methadone. Ideally, when someone reaches 30MG a day, they can be switched over. As it is necessary to be in withdrawal, it may be necessary to stop taking Methadone for one or two days: first. In some cases, it could take three days. Very rarely does it take any longer than this.

For those already on Subutex (Buprenorphine) the process is very simple and a switchover is seamless. If you have not had this medication before, a small test dose of oral Buprenorphine is given before the injection. You will be given a 4MG tablet of Buprenorphine and asked to remain at the outpatient service for an hour just to see how you get on. If all is well you will be able to have your first injection straightaway.

What dose will I need?

Oral Buprenorphine doses and Buvidal doses are not quite the same. For those new to Buprenorphine, you start off with weekly injections and then, if you desire and your clinician agrees, you can have a monthly injection. Sometimes, the first injection will not provide sufficient cover for a week so it is common to have top up injections to get you through the first week: This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. The injections comes in different strengths and your clinician will explain and discuss everything with you.

How do I come off Buvidal?

The research and evidence on this is in it’s early stages. The current indications are that you can either reduce the does over a period of time, convert to oral Buprenorphine and reduce on tablets or simply stop the injections. As the medication is “long acting” a lot of clients have, very successfully, simply allowed the medication to run out by not having further injections.

Who can’t have Buvidal?

There are some red flags which preclude it’s use:

• Allergy to Buprenorphine
• Severe liver damage
• Chronic breathing problems
• Alcohol intoxication

You must inform your clinician of the following:

• If you have asthma
• History of liver damage
• Kidney damage
• Heart rhythm abnormalities
• Low blood pressure
• Recent head injury
• Enlarged prostate
• Depression and using antidepressants
• Addison’s disease

Things to consider when using Buvidal:

• Breathing difficulties: Buvidal can cause breathing problems. In very rare cases it can cause respiratory arrest.
• Drowsiness: Buvival can make you drowsy. If you use other drugs that also cause drowsiness (such as alcohol or benzodiazepines) this can be very dangerous
• Liver damage: Buvidal can damage your liver and your clinician may require blood tests
• Withdrawal: If you use Buvidal while not in withdrawal it will force you to withdraw.
• Blood pressure: Your pressure may drop and, if you stand up quickly, you may feel dizzy

Buvidal and pregnancy

For obvious reasons, pregnant women are not allowed to take part in drug trials. As such, the effects on a fetus are not known. However, it may be possible to use Buvidal in the second trimester: Talk to a clinician. Buvidal is passed on in breastmilk.

Side effects

All medications have side effects. That doesn’t mean you will get them or that they are dangerous. As mentioned above, if you are new to Buprenorphine, you will be given a test dose (in tablet form) : First. This is known as “tolerance testing.” If, when you are using Buvidal, you experience any of the following, you should seek urgent medical attention:

• Breathing difficulties, wheezing, swollen eyelids, enlarged tonge, rash, severe itching
• Slow/shallow breathing

Our experienced addictions clinicians here at Find Me a Rehab have many years direct clinical experience prescribing Buvidal. They provide Free 24 Hour Addiction Advice. If you need Free Clinician Drug Advice call or email us. All enquiries are treated in the strictest of confidence. Our advice is always free and impartial.

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