BUVIDAL 24 mg PROLONGED-RELEASE INJECTABLE SOLUTION

Introduction

Package Leaflet: Information for the User

Buvidal 8mg prolonged-release solution for injection

Buvidal 16mg prolonged-release solution for injection

Buvidal 24mg prolonged-release solution for injection

Buvidal 32mg prolonged-release solution for injection

Buvidal 64mg prolonged-release solution for injection

Buvidal 96mg prolonged-release solution for injection

Buvidal 128mg prolonged-release solution for injection

Buvidal 160mg prolonged-release solution for injection

buprenorphine

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet, you may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

Contents of the pack

1. What is Buvidal and what is it used for
2. What you need to know before you are given Buvidal
3. How Buvidal is given
4. Possible side effects
5. Storage of Buvidal
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What is Buvidal and what is it used for

Buvidal contains the active substance buprenorphine, which is a type of opioid medicine. It is used to treat opioid dependence in patients who are also receiving medical, social, and psychological support.

Buvidal is indicated in adults and adolescents aged 16 years and older.

2. What you need to know before you are given Buvidal

Do not use Buvidal:

• if you are allergic to buprenorphine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
• if you have severe breathing problems
• if you have severe liver problems
• if you have alcohol intoxication or have tremors, sweating, anxiety, confusion, or hallucinations caused by alcohol

Warnings and precautions

Tell your doctor before using Buvidal if you have:

• asthma or other breathing problems
• any liver disease such as hepatitis
• severe kidney problems
• certain heart rhythm problems (long QT syndrome or prolonged QT interval)
• low blood pressure
• have recently had a head injury or a brain disease
• urinary disorder (especially associated with an enlarged prostate in men)
• thyroid problems
• a corticosteroid disorder (e.g., Addison's disease)
• gallbladder problems
• depression or other illnesses that are treated with antidepressants. Using these medicines with Buvidal may cause serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition (see "Other medicines and Buvidal").
• if you have ever had an allergic reaction to latex

Important things to consider

• Breathing problems:Some people have died due to very slow or shallow breathing caused by taking buprenorphine with other central nervous system depressants (substances that slow down some brain activities), such as benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other opioids.
• Drowsiness:This medicine may cause drowsiness, especially when used with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants (substances that slow down some brain activities), such as benzodiazepines, other anxiety-reducing medicines, pregabalin, or gabapentin.
• Dependence:This medicine can cause dependence.
• Liver damage:Liver damage can occur with buprenorphine, especially when used improperly. This can also occur due to viral infections (chronic hepatitis C), alcohol abuse, anorexia (eating disorder), or use of other medicines that can damage the liver. Your doctor may ask you to have blood tests regularly to check the condition of your liver. Tell your doctor if you have liver problems before starting treatment with Buvidal.
• Withdrawal symptoms:This medicine may cause withdrawal symptoms if taken less than 6 hours after taking a short-acting opioid (e.g., morphine, heroin) or less than 24 hours after taking a long-acting opioid, such as methadone.
• Blood pressure:This medicine may cause a sudden drop in your blood pressure, which would cause dizziness if you get up too quickly when sitting or lying down.
• Diagnosis of unrelated medical conditions:This medicine may mask pain, which could make it difficult to diagnose some illnesses. Do not forget to tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine.
• Sleep-related breathing disorders:Buvidal may cause sleep-related breathing disorders such as sleep apnea (pauses in breathing during sleep) and sleep-related hypoxemia (low oxygen levels in the blood). Symptoms may include pauses in breathing during sleep, nighttime awakenings due to difficulty breathing, difficulty staying asleep, or excessive daytime sleepiness. Contact your doctor if you or someone else notices these symptoms. Your doctor may consider a dose reduction.

Tolerance, dependence, and addiction

This medicine contains buprenorphine, an opioid substance. Repeated use of opioids can reduce the effectiveness of the medicine (your body gets used to the medicine, this is known as tolerance). Repeated use of buprenorphine can also cause dependence, abuse, and addiction, which can lead to a potentially life-threatening overdose.

Dependence or addiction can make you feel like you no longer have control over the amount of medicine you need to use or how often you need to use it.

The risk of becoming dependent or addicted varies from person to person. You may have a higher risk of becoming dependent or addicted to buprenorphine if:

• You or a family member have a history of alcohol, prescription drug, or illicit substance abuse ("addiction").
• You are a smoker.
• You have ever had mood problems (depression, anxiety, or personality disorder) or have received psychiatric treatment for other mental illnesses.

If you notice any of the following signs while taking buprenorphine, it could be a sign that you have become dependent or addicted:

• You need to use the medicine for longer than recommended by your doctor.
• You need to use more doses than recommended.
• You are using the medicine for reasons other than those prescribed, for example, "to calm down" or "to help you sleep".
• You have made repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop or control the use of the medicine.
• You do not feel well when you stop using the medicine and feel better when you start using it again ("withdrawal symptoms").
• If you notice any of these signs, talk to your doctor to address the most appropriate therapeutic strategy in your case, including when it is appropriate to stop using it and how to do so safely (see section 3 "If you stop treatment with Buvidal").

Children and adolescents

Buvidal should not be used in children under 16 years of age. Your doctor will monitor you more closely if you are an adolescent (16 to 17 years old).

Other medicines and Buvidal

Tell your doctor if you are using, have recently used, or might use any other medicines.

Some medicines may increase the adverse effects of Buvidal and may cause very serious reactions.

It is especially important that you tell your doctor if you are taking:

• benzodiazepines(used to treat anxiety or sleep disorders). Taking very high doses of a benzodiazepine with Buvidal can cause death because both medicines can make breathing slower and shallower (respiratory depression). If you need a benzodiazepine, your doctor will prescribe the correct dose.
• gabapentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin)(used to treat epilepsy or neuropathic pain). Taking very high doses of a gabapentinoid can cause death because both medicines can make breathing slower and shallower (respiratory depression). You should take the dose prescribed by your doctor.
• alcohol or medicines that contain alcohol. Alcohol can worsen the sedative effect of this medicine.
• other medicines that can make you feel drowsyused to treat diseases such as anxiety, insomnia, seizures (attacks), and pain. These medicines, when taken with Buvidal, can slow down some brain activities and reduce your alertness and ability to drive and use machines correctly. Examples of medicines that can make you feel drowsy or less alert include:

• other opioids such as methadone, certain painkillers, and cough medicines. These medicines can also increase the risk of opioid overdose
• antidepressants (used to treat depression)
• sedating antihistamines (used to treat allergic reactions)
• barbiturates (used to induce sleep or sedation)
• certain anxiolytics (used to treat anxiety disorders)
• antipsychotics (used to treat psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia)
• clonidine (used to treat high blood pressure)

• opioid painkillers. These medicines may not work properly if taken with Buvidal and may increase the risk of overdose.
• naltrexone and nalmefene(used to treat addiction disorders) since they can also prevent Buvidal from working properly. You should not take them at the same time as this medicine.
• certain antiretrovirals(used to treat HIV infection) such as ritonavir, nelfinavir, indinavir, as they can increase the effects of this medicine.
• certain antifungal medicines(used to treat fungal infections) such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, as they can increase the effects of this medicine.
• macrolide antibiotics(used to treat bacterial infections) such as clarithromycin and erythromycin, as they can increase the effects of this medicine.
• certain antiepileptic medicines(used to treat epilepsy) such as phenobarbital, carbamazepine, and phenytoin, as they can reduce the effect of Buvidal.
• rifampicin(used to treat tuberculosis). Rifampicin can reduce the effect of Buvidal.
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors(used to treat depression) such as phenelzine, isocarboxazid, iproniazid, and tranylcypromine, as they can increase the effects of this medicine.
• antidepressantssuch as moclobemide, tranylcypromine, citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, duloxetine, venlafaxine, amitriptyline, doxepin, or trimipramine. These medicines can interact with Buvidal and you may experience symptoms such as involuntary muscle contractions, including the muscles that control eye movement, agitation, hallucinations, coma, excessive sweating, tremors, exaggerated reflexes, increased muscle tension, body temperature above 38 °C. Contact your doctor if you experience these symptoms.
• medicines used to treat allergies and to treat nausea and vomiting during travel(antihistamines or antiemetics).
• muscle relaxants
• medicines for the treatment of Parkinson's disease

Using Buvidal with alcohol

Do not drink alcohol while using Buvidal (see section 2 Warnings and precautions). Drinking alcohol with this medicine can increase drowsiness and may increase the risk of breathing problems.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before using this medicine. The risks of using Buvidal in pregnant women are not known. Your doctor will help you decide if you should continue taking the medicine during pregnancy.

Taking this medicine during pregnancy may cause withdrawal symptoms, including breathing problems in your newborn baby. This can happen several hours to several days after birth.

Ask your doctor for advice before using Buvidal during breastfeeding, as this medicine is excreted in breast milk.

Driving and using machines

Buvidal may cause drowsiness and dizziness. This is more likely at the start of treatment and when the dose is being changed. These effects can be worsened by alcohol or other sedative medicines. Do not drive, use tools or machines, or engage in hazardous activities until you know how this medicine affects you.

Buvidal contains alcohol

Buvidal 8 mg, 16 mg, 24 mg, and 32 mg contain 95.7 mg of alcohol (ethanol) per ml (10% w/w). The amount in one dose of this medicine is equivalent to less than 2 ml of beer or 1 ml of wine. The small amount of alcohol in this medicine does not produce any noticeable effect.

3. How Buvidal is administered

Buvidal should only be administered by healthcare professionals.

Buvidal 8 mg, 16 mg, 24 mg, and 32 mg are administered weekly. Buvidal 64 mg, 96 mg, 128 mg, and 160 mg are administered monthly.

Your doctor will determine the best dose for you. During treatment, your doctor may adjust your dose, depending on how the medication is working.

Treatment initiation

The first dose of Buvidal will be administered when you show clear signs of withdrawal.

If you are dependent on short-acting opioids (e.g., morphine or heroin), the first dose of Buvidal will be administered at least 6 hours after your last opioid use.

If you are dependent on long-acting opioids (e.g., methadone), your methadone dose will be reduced to below 30 mg per day before starting Buvidal. The first dose of this medication will be administered at least 24 hours after your last methadone use.

If you are not taking buprenorphine (the same active ingredient as Buvidal) sublingually (under the tongue), the recommended starting dose is 16 mg, with one or two additional doses of 8 mg of Buvidal administered with a separation of at least one day during the first week of treatment. This means that the target dose during the first week of treatment is 24 mg or 32 mg.

If you have not taken buprenorphine before, you will receive a sublingual dose of 4 mg of buprenorphine and will be observed for one hour before the first dose of Buvidal.

The monthly Buvidal treatment can be used if it is indicated for you, once you have achieved stabilization with Buvidal in weekly treatment (four weeks of treatment or more, when practical).

If you are already taking buprenorphine sublingually, you can start receiving Buvidal the day after your last treatment. Your doctor will prescribe the correct starting dose of Buvidal for you, depending on the dose of buprenorphine sublingually you are currently taking.

Continuation of treatment and dose adjustment

During continued treatment with Buvidal, your doctor may increase or decrease your dose according to your needs. You may be switched from weekly to monthly treatment and from monthly to weekly treatment. Your doctor will indicate the correct dose for you.

It is possible that during continued treatment, you may receive an additional dose of 8 mg of Buvidal between weekly or monthly treatments if your doctor considers it necessary for you.

The maximum weekly dose if you are receiving weekly Buvidal treatment is 32 mg with an additional dose of 8 mg. The maximum monthly dose if you are receiving monthly Buvidal treatment is 160 mg.

Administration route

Buvidal is administered as a single injection under the skin (subcutaneously) in any of the allowed injection zones: buttocks, thighs, abdomen, or arms. You may receive multiple injections in the same zone, but the exact injection site should be varied for each weekly and monthly injection with a minimum separation of 8 weeks.

If you use more Buvidal than you should

If you have received more buprenorphine than you should, you must contact your doctor immediately, as this can cause your breathing to become very slow and shallow, which can be life-threatening.

If you use too much buprenorphine, you should seek medical attention immediately, as an overdose can cause serious and potentially life-threatening respiratory problems. The symptoms of an overdose may include slower and weaker breathing than normal, more drowsiness than usual, nausea, vomiting, and/or difficulty speaking. You may also experience a decrease in pupil size. If you experience a feeling of fainting, it may be a sign of low blood pressure.

If you miss a dose of Buvidal

It is very important that you attend all appointments to receive Buvidal. If you miss a visit, ask your doctor when you can schedule the next dose.

If you stop treatment with Buvidal

Do not stop treatment without consulting the doctor who is treating you. Stopping treatment may cause withdrawal symptoms.

If you have any other questions about the use of this medication, ask your doctor.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medications, this medication can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them.

Tell your doctor immediately or seek urgent medical attentionif you experience side effects such as:

• sudden wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of the eyelids, face, tongue, lips, throat, or hands; rash or itching, especially all over the body. These could be signs of a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
• if you start breathing more slowly or weakly than usual (respiratory depression).
• if you experience a feeling of fainting, as this may be a sign of low blood pressure.

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience side effects such as:

• severe fatigue, loss of appetite, or if your skin or eyes turn yellow. These may be symptoms of liver damage.

Other side effects:

Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):

• insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
• headache
• nausea
• sweating, withdrawal syndrome, pain

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• infection, flu, sore throat and difficulty swallowing, nasal discharge
• swollen glands (lymph nodes)
• hypersensitivity
• decreased appetite
• anxiety, agitation, depression, hostility, nervousness, abnormal thoughts, paranoia
• drowsiness, dizziness, migraines, burning or tingling in the hands and feet, fainting, tremors, increased muscle tension, speech disorders
• tearful eyes, abnormal increase or decrease in pupil size (the dark part of the eye)
• palpitations
• low blood pressure
• cough, shortness of breath, yawning, asthma, bronchitis
• constipation, vomiting (nausea), stomach pain, flatulence (gas), indigestion, dry mouth, diarrhea
• rash, itching, hives
• joint pain, back pain, muscle pain, muscle spasms, neck pain, bone pain
• painful menstruation
• reactions at the injection site, e.g., pain, itching, redness of the skin, swelling and hardening of the skin, swelling of the ankles, feet, or toes, weakness, general discomfort, fever, chills, neonatal withdrawal syndrome, chest pain
• abnormal liver test results

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• skin infection at the injection site
• feeling of dizziness or vertigo

Frequency not known (cannot be estimated from the available data):

• hallucinations, feeling of happiness and excitement (euphoria)
• abnormal skin redness
• pain or difficulty urinating
• reactions at the injection site, e.g., open sores, inflamed areas with accumulated pus, and cell or tissue death at the injection site.

Reporting side effects

If you experience any side effects, consult your doctor, even if they are possible side effects that do not appear in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medicines: https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medication.

5. Storage of Buvidal

Buvidal should only be administered by healthcare professionals. Patients are not allowed to take the product home or self-administer it.

Keep this medication out of sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medication after the expiration date that appears on the carton or the label on the syringe after "EXP". The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.

Do not refrigerate or freeze.

Do not use this medication if you notice that it contains visible particles or is cloudy.

Buvidal is for single use only. All used syringes must be discarded.

Medications should not be thrown away in drains or trash. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and medications you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.

6. Package contents and additional information

Buvidal composition

• The active ingredient is buprenorphine
• The other ingredients are soybean phosphatidylcholine, glycerol dioleate, anhydrous ethanol (see section 2 Buvidal contains alcohol) (only in the weekly formulation) and N-methylpyrrolidone (only in the monthly formulation).

The following syringes are available:

Weekly injection:

8 mg: Pre-filled syringe with 8 mg of buprenorphine in 0.16 ml of solution

16 mg: Pre-filled syringe with 16 mg of buprenorphine in 0.32 ml of solution

24 mg: Pre-filled syringe with 24 mg of buprenorphine in 0.48 ml of solution

32 mg: Pre-filled syringe with 32 mg of buprenorphine in 0.64 ml of solution

Monthly injection:

64 mg: Pre-filled syringe with 64 mg of buprenorphine in 0.18 ml of solution

96 mg: Pre-filled syringe with 96 mg of buprenorphine in 0.27 ml of solution

128 mg: Pre-filled syringe with 128 mg of buprenorphine in 0.36 ml of solution

160 mg: Pre-filled syringe with 160 mg of buprenorphine in 0.45 ml of solution

Appearance of Buvidal and package contents

Buvidal is a prolonged-release injectable solution. Each pre-filled syringe contains a clear yellowish liquid.

The following package sizes are available:

Pre-filled syringes containing 8 mg, 16 mg, 24 mg, 32 mg, 64 mg, 96 mg, 128 mg, and 160 mg of injectable solution. Each package contains 1 pre-filled syringe with plug, needle, needle protector, safety device, and 1 plunger rod.

Marketing authorization holder

Camurus AB

Rydbergs torg 4

SE-224 84 Lund

Sweden

medicalinfo@camurus.com

Manufacturer

Rechon Life Science AB

Soldattorpsvägen 5

216 13 Limhamn

Sweden

Date of last revision of this leaflet: 07/03/2025

Detailed information on this medication is available on the European Medicines Agency website: http://www.ema.europa.eu.

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This information is intended only for healthcare professionals:

Instructions for use for healthcare professionals

Contents:

1. Important information
2. Safety syringe parts
3. Administration
4. Disposal of the syringe

1. Important information

• The administration should be done in subcutaneous tissue. ONLY.
• Do not use if the safety syringe is broken or the package is damaged.
• The needle protector of the safety syringe may contain latex rubber that can cause allergic reactions in people with latex sensitivity.
• Handle the safety syringe with care to avoid needlestick injuries. The safety syringe includes a safety device to protect the needle that will be activated at the end of the injection. The needle protector will help prevent needlestick injuries.
• Do not remove the safety protector from the syringe until you are ready to inject. Once removed, never try to put the needle protector back.
• Discard the used safety syringe immediately after use. Do not reuse the safety syringe.

1. Safety syringe parts

• DO NOT TOUCH THE PROTECTIVE WINGS OF THE SYRINGE UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO INJECT. TOUCHING THEM MAY ACTIVATE THE SYRINGE PROTECTOR TOO EARLY.

• DO NOT USE THE PRODUCT IF IT HAS FALLEN ON A HARD SURFACE OR IS DAMAGED. USE A NEW PRODUCT FOR THE INJECTION.

1. Administration

• Remove the syringe from the carton: hold the syringe by the protective body.
• Holding the syringe firmly by the inspection window, insert the plunger rod into the plunger stop by gently turning the plunger rod clockwise until it is secured (see Figure 2).

• Inspect the safety syringe carefully:

• Do not use the safety syringe after the expiration date that appears on the carton or the label on the syringe.
• A small air bubble may be visible, which is normal.
• The liquid should be clear. Do not use the safety syringe if the liquid contains particles or is cloudy.

• Choose the injection site. The injection site should be rotated between buttocks, thighs, abdomen, or arms (see Figure 3), waiting at least 8 weeks before re-injecting in a previously used site. Injections in the waist or less than 5 cm from the navel should be avoided.

Figure3

• Put on gloves and clean the injection site with circular motions using a cotton swab with alcohol (not included in the package). Do not touch the cleaned area again before injection.
• Holding the safety syringe by the protective syringe body, as shown (see Figure 4), carefully pull the needle protector straight out. Discard the needle protector immediately (do not try to put the needle protector back). There may be a drop of liquid on the tip of the needle. This is normal.

Figure4

• Pinch the skin at the injection site between your thumb and index finger, as shown (see Figure 5).
• Holding the safety syringe as shown, insert the needle at a 90-degree angle, approximately (see Figure 5). Push the needle until it is fully inserted.

Figure5

• Holding the syringe as shown (see Figure 6), slowly press the plunger until the head locks between the protective syringe wings and the entire solution has been injected.

Figure6

• Gently withdraw the needle from the skin. It is recommended to keep the plunger fully pressed while carefully withdrawing the needle from the injection site (see Figure 7).

Figure7

• As soon as the needle is withdrawn from the skin, slowly remove your thumb from the plunger and let the syringe protector automatically cover the exposed needle (see Figure 8). There may be a small amount of blood at the injection site; if necessary, clean with a cotton ball or swab.

Figure8

1. Disposal of the syringe

The disposal of unused medication and all materials that have come into contact with it will be carried out in accordance with local regulations.