Supportive measures should be instituted and if appropriate Naloxone or respiratory stimulants can be used. The expected symptoms of overdose would be drowsiness, nausea and vomiting; marked miosis may occur.
3 years - Nylon/aluminium/uPVC blister strip
3 years - HDPE bottle
Not to be given to patients who are known to be allergic to Temgesic or other opiates. Hypersensitivity to any of the constituents.
None stated
Lactose
Mannitol
Maize starch
Povidone k30
Citric acid anhydrous
Magnesium stearate
Sodium citrate
Purified water
Alcohol (96%)
Sublingual tablet
White to creamy white, circular, biconvex tablets, embossed on one side with “Lâ€.
Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sweating and drowsiness have been reported and may be more frequent in ambulant patients.).
Cases of bronchospasm, angioneurotic oedema and anaphylactic shock have also been reported.
During use of buprenorphine as substitution treatment the following adverse reactions have also been observed: hepatic necrosis and hepatitis.
None stated
As a strong analgesic for the relief of moderate to severe pain.
Buprenorphine is a µ (mu) opioid partial agonist and k (kappa) antagonist. It is a strong analgesic of the partial agonist (mixed agonist/antagonist) class.
Absorption
When taken orally, buprenorphine undergoes first-pass hepatic metabolism with N-dealkylation and glucuroconjungation in the small intestine. The use of this medication by oral route is therefore inappropriate.
Peak plasma concentrations are achieved 90 minutes after sublingual administration.
Distribution
The absorption of buprenorphine is followed by a rapid distribution phase and a half - life of 2 to 5 hours.
Metabolism and elimination
Buprenorphine is oxidatively metabolised by 14-N-dealkylation to N-desalkyl-buprenorphine (also known as norbuprenorphine) via cytochrome P450 CYP3A4 and by glucuroconjungation of the parent molecule and the dealkylated metabolite. Norbuprenorphine is µ (mu) agonist with weak intrinsic activity.
Elimination of buprenorphine is bi- or tri- exponential, with long terminal elimination phase4 of 20-25 hours, due in part to reabsorption of buprenorphine after intestinal hydrolysis of the conjugated derivative, and in part to the highly lipophilic nature of the molecule.
Buprenorphine is essentially eliminated in the faeces by biliary excretion of the glucuroconjugated metabolites (80%), the rest being eliminated in the urine.
01 July 2015
Temgesic 200 microgram Sublingual Tablets
Indivior UK Limited
103 - 105 Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire
SL1 3UH
Do not store above 30°C. Store in the original package- Nylon/aluminium/uPVC blister strip
Do not store above 30°C -HDPE bottle.
Nylon/aluminium/uPVC blister strips of 10 tablets each, packed in cartons of 50 tablets.
HDPE bottle consisting of 50 tablets.
PL36699/0004
Buprenorphine hydrochloride 216 µg/tablet, equivalent to 200 µg buprenorphine base.
Temgesic occasionally causes significant respiratory depression and, as with other strong centrally acting analgesics, care should be taken when treating patients with impaired respiratory function or patients who are receiving drugs which can cause respiratory depression. Although volunteer studies have indicated that opiate antagonists may not fully reverse the effects of Temgesic, clinical experience has shown that Naloxone may be of benefit in reversing a reduced respiratory rate. Respiratory stimulants such as Doxapram are also effective. The intensity and duration of action may be affected in patients with impaired liver failure.
Controlled human and animal studies indicate that buprenorphine has a substantially lower dependence liability than pure agonist analgesics. In patients abusing opioids in moderate doses substitution with buprenorphine may prevent withdrawal symptoms. In man limited euphorigenic effects have been observed. This has resulted in some abuse of the same product and caution should be exercised when prescribing it to patients known to have, or suspected of having, problems with drug abuse.
Diversion:
Diversion of Temgesic has been reported. Diversion refers to the introduction of buprenorphine into the illicit market either by patients or by individuals who obtain the medicinal product through theft from patients of pharmacies. This diversion may lead to new addicts using buprenorphine as the primary drug of abuse, with the risks of overdose, spread of blood borne viral infections and respiratory depression.
Hepatic impairment
The effects of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of buprenorphine were evaluated in a postmarketing study. Since buprenorphine is extensively metabolized, plasma levels were found to be elevated for buprenorphine in patients with moderate and severe hepatic impairment. Patients should be monitored for signs and symptoms of toxicity or overdose caused by increased levels of buprenorphine. Temgesic sublingual tablets should be used with caution in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment.
Athletes must be aware that this medicine may cause a positive reaction to 'anti-doping' tests.
If you feel drowsy after taking these tablets do not use machines.
This medicine can impair cognitive function and can affect a patient's ability to drive safely. This class of medicine is in the list of drugs included in regulations under 5a of the Road Traffic Act 1988. When prescribing this medicine, patients should be told:
- The medicine is likely to affect your ability to drive
- Do not drive until you know how the medicine affects you
- It is an offence to drive while under the influence of this medicine
- However, you would not be committing an offence (called 'statutory defence') if:
o The medicine has been prescribed to treat a medical or dental problem and
o You have taken it according to the instructions given by the prescriber and in the information provided with the medicine and
o It was not affecting your ability to drive safely
Details regarding the new driving offence concerning driving after drugs have been taken in Great Britain may be found here: https://www.gov.uk/drug-driving-law
Administration by the sublingual route.
Adults and children over 12:
1-2 tablets (200-400 micrograms) to be dissolved under the tongue every 6-8 hours or as required. The recommended starting dose for moderate to severe pain of the type typically presenting in general practice is 1 to 2 tablets, 8 hourly.
Elderly:
There is no evidence that dosage needs to be modified for the elderly.
Children under 12 years:
Temgesic Sublingual is suitable for use in children under 12 as follows:
16-25 kg (35-55 lb) ½ tablet
25-37.5 kg (55-82.5 lb) ½ - 1 tablet
37.5-50 kg (82.5-110 lb) 1-1 ½ tablets
The recommended dose should be administered every 6-8 hours.
Sublingual administration is not suitable for children under the age of six years.
Temgesic sublingual may be used in balanced anaesthetic techniques at a dose of 400 micrograms.
Special populations
Hepatic impairment
The effects of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of buprenorphine were evaluated in a postmarketing study. Buprenorphine is extensively metabolized in the liver, and plasma levels were found to be higher for buprenorphine in patients with moderate and severe hepatic impairment compared to healthy subjects. Patients should be monitored for signs and symptoms of toxicity or overdose caused by increased levels of buprenorphine. Temgesic should be used with caution in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment.
To be dissolved under the tongue and not to be chewed or swallowed.
16 March 1992/ 9 November 2000
