Belbuca can slow or stop your breathing, and may be habit-forming. MISUSE OF OPIOID MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription.
Using Belbuca during pregnancy may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.
Fatal side effects can occur if you use Belbuca with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.
Before using this medicine
You should not use Belbuca if you are allergic to buprenorphine, or if you have:
severe asthma or trouble breathing; or
a blockage in your digestive tract, including a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus.
To make sure Belbuca is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
breathing problems, sleep apnea;
liver disease (especially hepatitis B or C);
kidney disease;
enlarged prostate, urination problems;
problems with your gallbladder, pancreas, or thyroid;
a head injury, brain tumor, or seizures;
drug addiction, methadone use, alcoholism, mental illness;
mouth sores caused by cancer;
an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood); or
long QT syndrome, or if you take heart rhythm medication.
If you use Belbuca 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 habit-forming medicine 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 harm a nursing baby. You should not breastfeed while you are using Belbuca.
Belbuca is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
