Quick info
Subutex®, Bupre - 1 A Pharma®, Bunalict®, Suboxone®, etc.
Buprenorphine is an analgesic, semi-synthetic opioid analgesic for the treatment of severe and chronic pain. It is also used to substitute opiate addicts (Subutex®, Suboxone®). Buprenorphine has an analgesic effect 25 to 50 times stronger than morphine.
Like all opiates, buprenorphine has analgesic and cough-irritant effects. However, its euphoric and sedative properties are less pronounced than those of other opioids, which is why it is also used for substitution treatment. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist. This means that, for safety reasons, only a submaximal effect is elicited. After a certain dose, a saturation effect (ceiling effect) occurs, which prevents a further increase in the effect. This makes the active ingredient so relevant for substitution treatments, as withdrawal symptoms can be alleviated and overdoses avoided.
0.4-0.8 mg, max. 2 mg/day
From 16 mg, the saturation effect (ceiling effect) comes into effect and no more effect enhancement is felt. When consuming for the first time, low doses should be used, as the risk of respiratory arrest is increased.
Appearances
As infusion solution (emergency medicine), melting tablets and patches. For abusive use also smoked or snorted.
Onset of effect
swallowed: after 60-90 minutes
via skin (patch): 4-12 hours
Duration of action
approx. 12-72 hours
Risks
The side effects are less pronounced than with other opioids. Nevertheless, fatigue, constipation, drowsiness, sweating, nausea, vomiting, insomnia and irritability may occur. Buprenorphine has a lower risk of respiratory depression, which is why it is considered comparatively safe.
Overdose
Overdoses with buprenorphine are difficult to treat with the opioid antagonist naloxone due to its high binding to the μ-opioid receptor. Therefore, agents from the group of respiratory stimulants (such as doxapram) are used.
Long-term risks/consequences
Unlike other opioids, the active ingredient floods on slowly, which is why the risk of dependence is considered lower.
Opioids are highly effective medications that should only be used for a limited time and, at best, with a doctor's supervision.
Start with a low dose and wait for the effect and tolerance before adding more.
After a period of abstinence, use a much lower dose! The usual dose before the abstinence phase can otherwise quickly have life-threatening consequences.
If you inject opioids, dose even more carefully, as the range between desired effect (rush) and dangerous overdose is even more difficult to assess. Avoid injecting opioids; the risk of overdose is particularly high. Always use new (clean and sterile) injection material! Never exchange syringes, filters, water, disinfection swabs to avoid transmission of hepatitis and HIV.
Do not rely on dosage information from colleagues who regularly use opioids. Due to habituation or dependence, their doses are significantly higher and can be fatal for new users.
Take longer breaks (at least several days) between consumption.
Refrain from citrus fruits (especially grapefruit) before or during consumption. The combination can lead to an increase in the effect of the opiate and/or respiratory depression.
The simultaneous consumption of depressant substances such as alcohol, ketamine, GHB/GBL, nitrous oxide, benzodiazepines and/or other opioids is dangerous as there is an increased risk of vomiting and unconsciousness. The risk of suffocation is high!
The combination with methoxetamine (MXE, Metha-Keta) increases the opioid effect.
Mixing opioids with DXM is generally not recommended - there is an increased risk of central nervous system disorders as well as heart and respiratory problems. In addition, DXM lowers the individual opioid tolerance, which is why the risk of overdose increases considerably.
Mixed use of opioids with stimulants (such as cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine) puts extreme strain on the body and the cardiovascular system. The effects can mask each other, so that they are subjectively felt to be weaker. If the effect of the stimulants wears off before the opioids, there is a risk of delayed overdose and even respiratory depression.
LSD analogues are substances that are chemically very similar to LSD and can have comparable effects. Some of them have been known for a long time (e.g. ALD52, ETH-LAD, AL-LAD, PRO-LAD etc.) and have been studied pharmacologically as well as psychopharmacologically, at least in part. Others are newer "creations" (e.g. the derivatives 1P-LSD,1B-LSD, 1cP-LSD, 1V-LSDetc.), for which only few or no data are available. Certain LSD analogues can (still) be legally produced, traded and consumed in some countries, which is the main reason for their distribution.
Most LSD analogues are naturally different from LSD in their effect and/or potency (e.g. ETH-LAD, AL-LAD, LSZ etc.). In contrast, the so-called 1-acylated LSD compounds (e.g. 1P-LSD, 1V-LSD, 1B-LSD, ALD-52, etc.) are presumed, on the basis of pharmacological studies, to convert into LSD in the body (they function as so-called prodrugs) and thus have a comparable psychoactive effect to LSD.
In the case of prodrugs of LSD and LSD analogues, it has not been conclusively clarified whether, in addition to their psychoactive effect, they can produce other pharmacological effects. How potent these prodrugs are compared to the resulting substance (e.g., 1P-LSD to LSD), and to what extent a delay in onset of action occurs in each case, may be substance-dependent and cannot be generalized. Therefore, it is important to approach the dose/effect carefully to avoid overdoses.
If you or someone else needs urgent help after taking drugs or alcohol, call an ambulance on 144. Tell the emergency responders everything you know.
It could save lives.