Whether you are taking buprenorphine to treat pain or opioid addiction, you may be wondering, “How long does buprenorphine stay in your system?”
If this question popped into your head in anticipation of an upcoming drug test, worry not—unless it tests for buprenorphine specifically, it isn’t likely to show up on it.
Nonetheless, learning how long buprenorphine stays in your system and what this depends on should be a priority for anyone taking it. It can help you avoid potentially dangerous drug interactions, estimate the onset of withdrawal symptoms, and minimize the risk of opioid toxicity and overdose.
Keep reading to find out how long buprenorphine stays in your system and what factors determine this.
What Is Buprenorphine?
Buprenorphine is a prescription opioid used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) and moderate-to-severe pain that doesn’t respond to non-opioid pain medications. As a semi-synthetic opioid, it is derived from thebaine, an alkaloid that naturally occurs in the opium poppy.
Buprenorphine comes in various forms, including:
- Buccal film (Belbuca®)
- Sublingual tablet (Subutex®)
- Transdermal patch (Butrans®)
- Subdermal implant (Probuphine®)
- Injection (Brixadi®, Sublocade®, Buprenex®)
Initially used for pain management, buprenorphine was FDA-approved for OUD treatment in 2002.
Today, it is commonly used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which typically combines opioid medications with counseling and behavioral therapy. It is also often prescribed as a combination drug containing buprenorphine and naloxone (Suboxone®).
Though buprenorphine can effectively relieve pain and help people get off more potent and dangerous opioids, such as heroin, it is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance. Therefore, it has a relatively high potential for opioid abuse, dependence, and addiction and should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor.
How Does Buprenorphine Affect Your Body?
Buprenorphine affects the body by interacting with the same receptors in the central nervous system (CNS) as other opioids. However, as a partial opioid agonist, it activates these receptors to a lesser extent than full opioid agonists, such as oxycodone. As such, it alleviates pain yet produces weaker euphoric and sedating effects than most opioids.
When used in opioid addiction treatment, buprenorphine relieves cravings and other opioid withdrawal symptoms. This helps people dependent on other opioids stop taking them. It also has a “ceiling effect,” meaning its effects plateau at a certain dose, which can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of opioid abuse and buprenorphine overdose.
Buprenorphine’s onset and duration of action largely depend on the drug’s formulation and dosage. Sublingual buprenorphine tablets, for instance, begin to work within 30–60 hours after ingestion, with effects lasting 6–12 hours when taken in low doses and 24–72 hours in high doses.
Buprenorphine Half-Life
Buprenorphine’s half-life, or the time it takes for your body to eliminate 50% of a dose, largely depends on the formulation and individual factors, such as your liver function.
For example, sublingual buprenorphine has a half-life of around 38 hours, though it may range between 25 and 70 hours. Meanwhile, a buprenorphine injection has an average half-life of just 2.2 hours, whereas an extended-release buprenorphine injection ranges from 43 to 60 days.
Now that you know more about the half-life of buprenorphine, it’s time to tackle the question, “How long does buprenorphine stay in your system?”
How Long Does Buprenorphine Stay in Your System?
Depending on the formulation, buprenorphine can stay in your system between 11 hours and 300 days (10 months) or even longer, as it takes about five half-lives to clear it entirely.
Buprenorphine doesn’t typically show up as an opioid on regular drug tests. However, tests designed to detect buprenorphine specifically, such as buprenorphine assay, may identify traces for days, weeks, and even months after the last dose. Nonetheless, this also largely depends on the formulation.
For example, intravenously administered extended-release buprenorphine can remain detectable for 22–38 months after the last dose.
Meanwhile, here are the average detection windows for sublingual buprenorphine in blood, hair, saliva, and urine tests:
How Long Does Buprenorphine Stay in Blood?
Buprenorphine stays in the blood for no more than nine days after consumption. Due to its long half-life, it remains detectable in blood tests longer than most other opioids, though it will only show up in certain drug tests. Blood tests for buprenorphine are most often used in medical settings.
How Long Does Buprenorphine Stay in Hair?
Like other opioids, buprenorphine stays in hair and can be found in hair follicles for up to 90 days after taking the last dose.
How Long Does Buprenorphine Stay in Saliva?
Buprenorphine stays in saliva for about 24–36 hours following ingestion. Though this method of testing for buprenorphine is non-invasive, it isn’t very common. In some cases, it can remain detectable in saliva samples for a week and even longer.
How Long Does Buprenorphine Stay in Urine?
Buprenorphine and its metabolite norbuprenorphine stay in the urine and can be detected in urine tests for up to 14 days after the last dose. Urine tests are among the most popular ones to test for buprenorphine due to their relatively low cost and non-invasive nature.
Factors That Determine How Long Buprenorphine Stays in Your System
Liver health is among the key factors that determine how long buprenorphine stays in your system, as it is primarily metabolized by the liver.
In particular, moderate and severe liver impairment can extend buprenorphine’s half-life. For this reason, patients with liver disease should be closely monitored for opioid toxicity and overdose.
Other factors that determine how long buprenorphine stays in your system include:
- Metabolism. The faster your metabolism is, the quicker your body will break down and eliminate buprenorphine. Factors that influence metabolism—age, physical activity, etc.—can also impact how long buprenorphine stays in your system.
- Polydrug use. Taking buprenorphine with other substances is not only potentially dangerous but can also make it more difficult for your body to get rid of buprenorphine. Never take buprenorphine with any other substance (prescription medication, illicit drugs, alcohol, etc.) your doctor has not approved of.
- Extent of buprenorphine use. Simply put, the longer and more frequently you take buprenorphine, the harder it will be for your body to clear it out. Those who take it in large doses will also need more time to eliminate it than those who take it in minimal amounts.
Buprenorphine Addiction vs. Buprenorphine Dependence
Buprenorphine addiction and buprenorphine dependence are distinct conditions, even though these terms are often used interchangeably. While they can coincide, they can also occur on their own; for instance, someone dependent on buprenorphine isn’t necessarily addicted to it.
Buprenorphine dependence refers to the physical dependence on this medication, which results from continued opioid exposure. It is characterized by tolerance and opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Anyone taking buprenorphine risks becoming dependent, as prolonged opioid use alters brain chemistry. Moreover, those who take it to treat OUD are, by definition, dependent on it. People dependent on opioids like buprenorphine have to take them to maintain normal functioning; otherwise, they experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
Meanwhile, buprenorphine addiction is largely psychological. People addicted to this drug cannot control their impulses and continue taking it despite the negative consequences, such as strained relationships with loved ones, job loss, and so forth.
Untreated buprenorphine dependence can develop into addiction. If you suspect you may be dependent on buprenorphine, seek professional help to avoid falling victim to prescription drug addiction.
Buprenorphine Withdrawal Symptoms
Buprenorphine withdrawal symptoms are a set of physical and psychological symptoms those dependent on or addicted to buprenorphine experience after discontinuing their medication. Though it may sound paradoxical—after all, buprenorphine is often used to prevent withdrawal symptoms—it can also cause them, especially if you suddenly stop taking it.
Moreover, poorly timed administration of buprenorphine can cause precipitated withdrawal symptoms.
The onset of buprenorphine withdrawal varies based on the drug’s formulation, dosage, and other individual factors. However, most people will begin to experience the first withdrawal symptoms within a day or two after taking the last dose. These symptoms typically last more or less a month, though some may struggle with them for several months or even years.
Here are the most common buprenorphine withdrawal symptoms:
- Fever
- Anxiety
- Diarrhea
- Agitation
- Headache
- Depression
- Body aches
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Mood swings
- Restlessness
- Dilated pupils
- Opioid cravings
- Frequent yawning
- Sleep disturbances
- Increased sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
Buprenorphine withdrawal symptoms can be very distressing, and since they tend to last for quite some time, unfortunately, many people relapse in an attempt to soothe their pain.
This poses a significant risk to their well-being, as relapse is a major risk factor for opioid overdose, which can be deadly if not treated promptly. For this reason, you should never quit buprenorphine without medical supervision.
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Key Takeaways
The bottom line is that the answer to “How long does buprenorphine stay in your system?” differs from person to person, as buprenorphine’s half-life varies based on the drug’s formulation and your health condition.
Lastly, let’s reiterate the key points we covered today:
- Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist prescribed to treat OUD or moderate-to-severe pain.
- Since buprenorphine stays in your system longer if you have liver disease, anyone with hepatic impairment should watch out for signs of opioid toxicity and overdose.
- ANR is a groundbreaking treatment that can help you make a long-term recovery from opioid dependence by restoring normal brain function.
How Long Does Buprenorphine Stay in Your System FAQ
It can take anywhere between 11 hours and 10 months to get buprenorphine out of your system. How long buprenorphine stays in your system primarily depends on the drug’s formulation, liver function, and metabolism, among other factors.
Whether or not buprenorphine shows up on a drug test depends on the specific drug test performed. While it does not typically show up on standard drug tests, it will show up on those that test for buprenorphine or its metabolites.
Buprenorphine is primarily eliminated from the body via the feces. Around 70–90% of a buprenorphine dose will be excreted in the feces, while the remainder is eliminated in urine.
When taken as prescribed, buprenorphine can make you feel better by alleviating pain and relieving opioid withdrawal symptoms. Though it tends to produce milder effects than other opioids, it can also make you feel euphoric and sedated, especially when misused. Always follow your doctor’s directions to minimize the risk of side effects, dependence, and overdose.
If swallowed, buprenorphine might not work as intended. While it may still produce some effects, they may be much weaker, as sublingual tablets aren’t fully absorbed when swallowed. It can also cause abdominal pain and other side effects.
When taking buprenorphine, avoid drinking alcohol and taking any other medications without your doctor’s knowledge and approval. Also, do not stop taking buprenorphine “cold turkey” or without medical supervision, as this may lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. Avoid driving and operating heavy machinery if you feel dizzy or drowsy after taking buprenorphine.
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