MDose · Veterinary drug reference
BUPRENORPHINE
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Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
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Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications3
Mild–moderate pain (post-op, general analgesia)
DogCatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Mild–moderate pain (post-op, general analgesia) — Extra-label
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Mild–moderate pain (post-op, general analgesia) — Extra-label
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Buccal/transmucosal analgesia — well accepted, effective route
CatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Buccal/transmucosal analgesia — well accepted, effective route — Extra-label
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens6
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects204
Sedation — Common
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Respiratory depression — Rare but the key effect to monitor
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Excitement, ↓ gut sounds — Common
HorseNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Horse · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
GI effects (vomiting) — Rare
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Vomiting287 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')220 reports
- Diarrhoea191 reports
- Death by euthanasia186 reports
- Anorexia169 reports
- Death168 reports
- Other abnormal test result NOS146 reports
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)131 reports
- Not eating127 reports
- Abnormal radiograph finding126 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS121 reports
- Pain NOS115 reports
Cat
- Behavioural disorder NOS943 reports
- Dilated pupils719 reports
- Not eating652 reports
- Hyperactivity564 reports
- Dysphoria505 reports
- Anorexia458 reports
- Death402 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')393 reports
- Not sleeping361 reports
- Hiding329 reports
- Fever324 reports
- Hyperthermia315 reports
Monitoring1
Analgesic efficacy, respiratory rate/depth, cardiac status
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
Known hypersensitivity
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions4
Hypothyroidism, severe renal/adrenal insufficiency, geriatric/debilitated, head trauma/↑ICP, hepatic dysfunction, biliary tract disease
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Naloxone only partially reverses buprenorphine — high-affinity mu binding means higher-than-usual naloxone doses may be needed for overdose.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Formulation strengths vary widely (0.3 mg/mL standard vs. 1.8 mg/mL Simbadol) — always double-check concentration to avoid 6x dosing errors.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
In dogs, transmucosal (gingival) absorption is much less complete (~47–50%) than in cats — higher per-kg doses needed for that route in dogs.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions5
Azole antifungals (keto/itra/fluconazole) — ↑ buprenorphine levels
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Erythromycin — ↑ buprenorphine levels
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
MAO inhibitors (amitraz, selegiline) — Additive CNS depression
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Fentanyl/other pure mu-agonists — May partially antagonize their analgesic effect (controversial)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Naloxone — May reduce buprenorphine analgesia; higher naloxone doses needed to reverse buprenorphine overdose
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics5
Potency — 25–50x morphine
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Protein binding — 96%
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Half-life — 4–9h (dog); 6–10h (cat, IV); 7h (horse)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Metabolism — Hepatic — N-dealkylation, glucuronidation
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Elimination — ~70% biliary/fecal, ~27% urinary
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
No controlled studies; no teratogenicity seen in lab animals. Human FDA category C. Crosses placenta; found in milk at levels ≥ plasma.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 164–167; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 88–90 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references18
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Intraoperative opioid-sparing effect of a quadratus lumborum block using low-concentration bupivacaine and dexmedetomidine in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Carprofen and buprenorphine delivery using micropipette-guided drug administration (MDA) in mice.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Pharmacokinetics of a Single Subcutaneous Extended-Release Buprenorphine (Ethiqa XR) in Healthy Beagles.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Pharmacokinetics of extended-release lipid buprenorphine in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis) and its effects on body temperature.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Erector spinae plane block with bupivacaine contributes to intraoperative opioid sparing but provides limited postoperative pain control in cats undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy under continuous propofol infusion.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.
Available products
Products listed in the Health Canada Drug Product Database for this active ingredient. A listing does not establish that a product is authorized for the clinical uses described on this page.