Buprenorphine
Interpretation
- The elimination half-lives have ranged from 1.2 to 7.2 hours after intravenous injection; elimination half-lives after sublingual or transdermal use are longer and may range from 20 to 36 hours or more.
- Buprenorphine is metabolized through N-dealkylation to the pharmacologically active metabolite N-dealkylbuprenorphine (norbuprenorphine) through cytochrome P450 3A4 and by conjugation to glucuronide metabolites.
- The presence of buprenorphine or norbuprenorphine >LOQ indicates exposure to buprenorphine within 7 days.
Approximate Detection Times
| Buprenorphine | LOQ (ng/mL) | Detection Time* up to |
|---|---|---|
| Buprenorphine | 0.5 | 7 days |
| Norbuprenorphine | 0.5 | 7 days |
*These are approximate detection times for the drug or metabolites in urine. The actual detection time depends on dose, frequency of
use, and individual metabolism.