Comprehensive medication guide to {drug} including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that is FDA-approved for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) and chronic pain. It is one of the most effective medications available for helping people overcome opioid addiction, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms while having a lower risk of overdose compared to full opioid agonists like Methadone.
Buprenorphine is available under several brand names, including Suboxone (combined with Naloxone), Subutex, Sublocade, Brixadi, Belbuca, and Butrans. It comes in multiple formulations — sublingual tablets, sublingual films, buccal films, transdermal patches, and extended-release injections — giving patients and providers flexibility in treatment approaches.
Buprenorphine is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance by the DEA.
Buprenorphine works as a partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor and an antagonist at the kappa-opioid receptor. As a partial agonist, it activates opioid receptors in the brain but produces significantly less euphoria and respiratory depression than full opioid agonists like Heroin, Oxycodone, or Fentanyl.
A key safety feature of Buprenorphine is its ceiling effect — beyond a certain dose, increasing the amount does not increase respiratory depression, making it substantially safer in overdose situations. Its high binding affinity means it can displace other opioids from receptors, which helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms in patients with opioid use disorder.
For pain management, Buprenorphine provides effective analgesia at lower doses delivered through patches (Butrans) or buccal films (Belbuca).
For opioid use disorder, typical maintenance dosing is 8–24 mg per day sublingual. Your doctor will determine the right dose based on your individual needs.
Buprenorphine scores a 45 out of 100 on our findability scale, meaning it can be moderately difficult to locate in stock. While Buprenorphine is not in a formal FDA shortage as of early 2026, widespread pharmacy-level stocking issues persist. Approximately 40% of major chain pharmacies — including Walmart, CVS, and Rite Aid — decline to stock Buprenorphine products entirely.
Access is particularly limited in rural areas, where patients may need to call multiple pharmacies or travel significant distances. The elimination of the X-waiver requirement in January 2023 expanded prescribing, but pharmacy stocking has not kept pace with the increased number of prescriptions. A 2025 USC Schaeffer Center study confirmed that most pharmacies still don't carry Buprenorphine despite relaxed prescribing rules.
Using Medfinder can save you hours of calling pharmacies — we check real-time stock so you don't have to.
Struggling to find {drug} in stock? We'll call the pharmacies, sit on hold, and find you one that can fill your prescription.
Since the passage of the MAT Act in January 2023, the previous X-waiver requirement was eliminated, meaning any provider with a standard DEA license can now prescribe Buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. This includes:
Buprenorphine can also be prescribed via telehealth. The DEA and HHS finalized rules allowing Buprenorphine prescribing via audio-visual or phone visits for up to 6 months. Platforms such as Bicycle Health, Workit Health, QuickMD, and Ophelia specialize in telehealth-based Buprenorphine treatment.
Yes, Buprenorphine is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance by the DEA. This means it has accepted medical use but carries a moderate-to-low potential for physical and psychological dependence.
As a Schedule III drug, Buprenorphine prescriptions can be called in or sent electronically to pharmacies, and refills are permitted (unlike Schedule II substances). However, the controlled substance classification contributes to some pharmacies being reluctant to stock it, which is a major factor in the findability challenges patients experience.
Like all medications, Buprenorphine can cause side effects. Most are mild and tend to improve as your body adjusts. Common side effects include:
Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention include respiratory depression (especially when combined with Benzodiazepines or alcohol), severe allergic reactions, liver damage, and precipitated withdrawal if taken too soon after a full opioid agonist. Always take Buprenorphine exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
If you're unable to find Buprenorphine or it's not the right fit, your doctor may consider these alternatives:
Buprenorphine has several important drug interactions you should be aware of:
Always inform your doctor and pharmacist of all medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
Buprenorphine is a critical, life-saving medication for millions of Americans dealing with opioid use disorder. Despite its proven effectiveness and improved safety profile compared to full opioid agonists, finding it in stock remains a frustrating challenge — with roughly 40% of major chain pharmacies declining to carry it.
The good news is that the elimination of the X-waiver in 2023 has made it easier to get a prescription, and telehealth options have dramatically expanded access to prescribers. Generic Buprenorphine is also affordable, with prices as low as $45 per month with discount coupons.
If you're struggling to locate Buprenorphine at your local pharmacy, Medfinder can help. Our tool checks real-time availability so you can skip the phone calls and find what you need faster.
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