Buprenorphine therapy: an increasing challenge in oral and maxillofacial surgery

Suboxone is a 4:1 mixture of buprenorphine and naloxone and Subutex is buprenorphine alone. The high affinity μ-receptor binding of buprenorphine (Suboxone and Subutex) renders other opioids ineffective. Inadequate procedural sedation, inadequate analgesia, and significant drug interactions complicate the treatment of patients taking Suboxone or Subutex. Careful planning and an understanding of buprenorphine pharmacology can minimize potential perioperative complications in patients taking Suboxone or Subutex. (Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics)