Buprenorphine (Buprenex) For Cats and Dogs: What Are The Side Effects and Alternatives?

Nali Macklin - March 16th 2020

Accuracy Review & Edit: Nicole Wanner, DVM - July 12th 2021

What is Buprenorphine
Dosage Of Buprenorphine
Side Effects Of Buprenorphine
Cost Of Buprenorphine
How does Buprenorphine interact with other drugs?
Are there any Alternatives to Buprenorphine?

What is Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine (also known as Buprenex) is a pain reliever commonly used in cats and dogs experiencing mild to moderate pain. It is often prescribed to manage pain after surgery or an injury, especially for cats.

It is a type of analgesic (a medication that provides relief from pain without putting your pets to sleep or making them lose consciousness) used primarily to help manage and dull pain.

Buprenorphine is not an over-the-counter drug; a veterinarian must prescribe it.

While this drug is less dangerous than some other opioid medications, it can still have side effects and should be used carefully.

Dosage Of Buprenophine

Buprenorphine is used in lower doses; since in higher doses, your pet may experience a “ceiling effect,” which means giving more of this drug does not create a more significant effect.

This is a potent drug, always give the exact amount that your vet has prescribed. Your pet should have a physical exam and lab work done before considering using this drug.

In cats, it is used by applying inside of cheek pouch or under the cat’s tongue. The drug is absorbed into the body directly from the mouth membranes making swallowing unnecessary.

In dogs, it is typically administered via intravenous injection (into a vein) or under the skin. When given orally, this drug doesn’t work as well as in cats. If you are asked by your vet to provide injections of this drug at home, make sure you follow your vet’s instructions carefully.

Side Effects Of Buprenorphine

Sedation (sleepiness) is the most common side effect of Buprenorphine, but other side effects may include:

Cats	Dogs
Dilated pupils	Agitation
Excessive licking	Constricted pupil
Gastrointestinal side effects	Slow heart rate
Pacing	Drop in blood pressure
Rubbing	Lower Body Temperature
	Salivation
	Slow breathing

The most potentially serious side effect of buprenorphine is slowed breathing. This side effect is more likely when buprenorphine is used in a surgical setting by veterinarians, but it is also something to watch for in animals given the medication at home. If your dog or cat takes buprenorphine and you have concerns about slow breathing, contact your vet’s office.

Buprenorphine is broken down by the liver and intestinal lining in dogs and cats. Therefore, pets with liver disease may eliminate this drug more slowly and experience prolonged effects.

Your vet will help determine whether buprenorphine is safe for your pet. Buprenorphine is used with extreme caution or avoided in dogs and cats with the following conditions:

Severe liver disease
Severe respiratory issues (including from heart failure or head trauma)
Hypersensitivity or allergy to opioids

Buprenorphine should also be used with caution in pets with:

Addison's Disease
Central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) dysfunction
Heart or lung problems
Very young, very old, or very sick/weak animals
Hypothyroidism (low thyroid levels)
Liver problems

Cost Of Buprenorphine

According to Drugs.com, the average cost for Buprenex (injectable solution) is around $89 for 5 milliliters worth of supply. However, the price will vary depending on your veterinarian and/or the pharmacy where you pick up the medication.

How Does Buprenorphine Interact With Other Drugs?

Some medications may interact with Buprenorphine. Be sure to let your vet know all the medicines your pet is taking.

Most medication interactions either increase or decrease a drug’s effectiveness. The drugs listed below may interact with buprenorphine:

Drug	Drug
Anticonvulsants	Antihistamines
Azole antifungals	Barbiturates
Benzodiazepines	Central nervous system depressant agents
Cisapride	Cyclobenzaprine
Desmopressin	Erythromycin
Fentanyl	MAOIs (certain antidepressants)
Metoclopramide	Pancurnium
Naloxone	Tramadol
Rifampin	Tranquilizers
Mirtazapine	fluoxetine

Are There Any Alternatives To Buprenorphine?

Your vet may prescribe medications such as Buprenorphine to manage your pet's pain. They might also prescribe a drug like Mirtazapine for cats, as they often lose their appetite when sick.

Although Buprenorphine is very effective, it can also have dangerous side effects.

Some studies have shown that CBD may have the potential to assist with certain types of chronic pain.

Your pup's chronic pain is not only affecting their ability to live everyday life, but you can feel it in yourself manifesting as stress.

CBD has the potential to help your pet manage their pain, but getting the best CBD oil for dogs creates another challenge in itself.

Below is an informative article about the best CBD oil for dogs with arthritis.

Biscuit's Story

To say Biscuit lived an active life would be an understatement. Unfortunately, at the age of 10, she started to limp after trips to the dog park.

It broke my heart to see her in pain doing what she loved the most. I started feeding her a raw food diet and added high-quality supplements to ensure her nutritional needs were met. Unfortunately, while she loved the food, the limping persisted. I decided to go to the vet. They quickly diagnosed her with osteoarthritis and prescribed a drug to help.

Her limping stopped, and she was in less visible pain. For the first week, it seemed that this was the solution. A few days later, it was to my absolute shock that she...