How do you get Bunavail?

Bunavail buccal film is the newest innovation in buprenorphine delivery for the maintenance treatment of opioid dependence. Learn how is Bunavail supplied and used here.

4
minute read

You can get Bunavail prescription from a licensed medical doctor, as the medical part of opioid addiction treatment. But, Bunavail promises best results when used as a part of a full recovery program and adequate social support.

Continue reading as we explain more about Bunavail buccal film dosages, supply, prescription, and maintenance treatment use. Plus, we answer all legitimate questions in the comments section below. We also welcome your feedback and will try to reply to all legitimate questions personally and promptly.

How is Bunavail supplied?

Bunavail (main ingredient buprenorphine) is a practical and discreet way of delivering buprenoprhine to the body. After you apply it to the inside of the cheek, it starts to dissolve, but doesn’t make speaking and swallowing difficult. It’s easy to apply and use, and patients have said it’s convenient, effective and has a pleasant taste. Bunavail is supplied as a yellow rectangular-shaped buccal film in three dosage strengths:

  • 2.1 mg/0.3 mg buprenorphine/naloxone
  • 4.2 mg/0.7 mg buprenorphine/naloxone
  • 6.3 mg/1 mg buprenorphine/naloxone

Who prescribes Bunavail?

Only qualified physicians who meet strict medical requirements are allowed to prescribe Bunavail to patients in addiction recovery. These are doctors who have been certified by and notified the Secretary of Health and Human Services that they will be prescribing Bunavail for the treatment of opioid dependence. The HHS has then assigned doctors with a unique identification number, which they have to include on every Bunavail prescription they give.

How do you take Bunavail?

Scientists used latest innovations in the design of Bunavail buccal film. Actually, it’s the first medication for opioid dependence treatment that is taken by applying it to the inside of the cheek. It is important that your buccal mucosa is wet (you can use your saliva or water) before applying Bunavail. It should stick easily and start dissolving as the buprenorphine in Bunavail is absorbed through the inside of the cheek and into the bloodstream. Prescription use of Bunavail is overseen and limited by the Drug Addiction Treatment Act (DATA).

Before you get Bunavail: Doctor-Patient information

The positive sides of using Bunavail include the fact that it’s easy and discreet to use, the film stays in place, you are able to talk and swallow normally while it dissolves, and plus it has a pleasant citrus taste. Still, there are some general guidelines that you doctor will inform you about before initiating Bunavail treatment. Some of these guidelines include:

1. Always take it as prescribed. Patients should always take Bunavail as instructed by their prescribing doctor, once a day generally in the morning. You should not change the amount of Bunavail you take or the frequency of dosing unless your doctor advises you to do so.

2. Don’t change the amount or frequency of use on your own. Taking any medication other than prescribed is considered abuse of that substance. Your doctor will probably point out that you should only take Bunavail one time a day, and never more often that prescribed.

3. Never alter the mode of administration. Your doctor should show you how to correctly use Bunavail. The buccal film should not be cut, torn, chewed, swallowed, or injected. Injecting Bunavail can lead to adverse withdrawal symptoms including cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, insomnia, cravings, life-threatening infections and other serious problems.

4. Keep drug and food interactions in mind. You should tell your doctor about all other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are taking. It’s best to keep a list and show it to your doctor. Bunavail can interact with the way other medicines work and some may cause life-threatening medical problems.

5. Watch out for possible side effects. Doctors prescribing Bunavail should inform their patients about all potential side-effects form this medication. Also, doctors should instruct patients about what course of actions they should take if any of these side effects occur.

Bunavail vs. Suboxone: Why Bunavail?

Is Bunavail like Suboxone? Well, Bunavail buccal film has twice the bioavailability of Suboxone. Both medicines supply an equally effective amount of burpenorphine to your body, only Bunavail does this with half the total dose. Meaning, you get the same amount of medicine in your bloodstream by administering a lower dose. This makes Bunavail a more efficient medication, although it contains the same active ingredient as Suboxone. Let’s compare doses:

  • 2.1/0.3 mg Bunavail = 4/1 mg Suboxone
  • 4.2/0.7 mg Bunavail = 8/2 mg Suboxone
  • 6.3/1 mg Bunavail = 12/3 mg Suboxone

If your doctor finds that you too can benefit the use of this medication, s/he may prescribe Bunavail as a part of an opiate addiction treatment program. For those who are fit for Bunavail use and maintenance treatment, it can bring many benefits. Here is why Bunavail buccal film may be a good choice for you:

Benefits of Bunavail

  1. Bunavail is safe and convenient for patients to use at home.
  2. The buccal films are easy to apply and won’t get in the way of your everyday activities. Bunavail is easy to learn how to properly apply and use.
  3.  You can swallow and speak normally as Bunavail buccal film dissolves, plus it has a pleasant taste.
  4. Bunavail is proven to work just as efficiently as Suboxone at lower doses.

Getting Bunavail questions

We hope we managed to cover all you wanted to find out about how Bunavail buccal film is prescribed, supplied, properly administered and used, and why you too may benefit from Bunavail maintenance treatment. But, if you have any other questions on this topic, we’d love to hear from you. Post your questions and comments in the section below and we’ll try to reply personally and promptly.

Reference sources: DailyMed: Bunavail- buprenorphine hydrochloride and naloxone hydrochloride dihydrate film
FDA: BUNAVAIL (buprenorphine and naloxone) Buccal Film
PBM: Buprenorphine/Naloxone Buccal Film
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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