Inserting and removing Probuphine implants can cause serious or life-threatening complications.
Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Probuphine. Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Probuphine implants if you are allergic to buprenorphine.
To make sure Probuphine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had::
breathing problems, sleep apnea;
liver disease;
problems with your gallbladder or thyroid;
an enlarged prostate, urination problems;
Addison's disease (an adrenal gland disorder);
abnormal curvature of the spine that affects breathing;
a head injury, brain tumor, or spinal cord problems;
mental illness or psychosis;
alcoholism; or
skin problems such as unusual scars or growths.
If you use buprenorphine while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on buprenorphine may need medical treatment for several weeks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Buprenorphine can pass into breast milk and may cause drowsiness or breathing problems in a nursing baby. Ask your doctor about any risks.
Probuphine implants not approved for use by anyone younger than 16 years old.
How is Probuphine implant administered?
A Probuphine implant is a 1-inch rod that is inserted through a needle (under local anesthesia) into the skin of your inside upper arm. You will receive a total of 4 implants.
After the Probuphine implant is inserted, your arm will be covered with 2 bandages. Remove the top bandage after 24 hours, but leave the smaller bandage on for 3 to 5 days. Keep the area clean and dry. Apply an ice pack to the area every 2 hours during the first day, leaving the ice pack on for 40 minutes at a time.
For at least 1 week, check the incision area for warmth, redness, swelling, or other signs of infection.
Call your doctor at once if you notice any of the following symptoms after the implants are inserted:
an implant sticks out of your skin or comes out by itself;
you have pain, itching, redness, swelling, bleeding or severe irritation;
you have numbness or weakness in your arm; or
you feel short of breath.
Tell your doctor if you cannot feel the Probuphine implant under your skin. Your doctor may perform medical tests or refer you to a surgeon.
Probuphine implants can remain in place for up to 6 months and must be surgically removed. Do not attempt to remove the implants yourself.
If an implant comes out of your arm, keep it in a place where others cannot get to it. As soon as possible, return the implant to your doctor. MISUSE OF A PROBUPHINE IMPLANT CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the implant improperly or without a prescription. Selling or giving away a Probuphine implants is against the law.
Probuphine is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include counseling and other types of addiction support. Tell your doctor if the Probuphine implants are not helping to improve your symptoms of addiction.
Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you are being treated for opioid addiction and using buprenorphine. Make sure your family members know how to provide this information in case they need to speak for you during an emergency.
