Patient leaflet - BuTrans 20 microgram/hour transdermal patches
1. What BuTrans patches are and what they are used for
This medicine has been prescribed for you to relieve moderate, long-lasting pain that requires the use of a strong
painkiller. It contains buprenorphine which belongs to a class of medicines called opioids, which are ‘pain relievers’. This medicine has been prescribed to you and should not be given to anyone else.
Opioids can cause
addiction and you may get withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it
suddenly. Your prescriber should have explained how long you will be taking it for and when it is
appropriate to stop, how to do this safely.
BuTrans patches should not be used to relieve acute pain.
BuTrans patches act through the skin. After application, buprenorphine passes through the skin into the blood. Each patch lasts for seven days.
2. What you need to know before you use BuTrans patches
Do not use BuTrans patches:
- if you are allergic to buprenorphine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6);
- if you have breathing problems;
- if you are addicted to drugs;
if you are taking a type of medicine known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (examples include tranylcypromine,
phenelzine,
isocarboxazid,
moclobemide and linezolid), or you have taken this type of
medicine in the last two weeks;
if you suffer from
myasthenia gravis (a condition in which the muscles become weak);
- if you have previously suffered from withdrawal symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, shaking or sweating upon stopping taking alcohol.
BuTrans patches must not be used to treat symptoms associated with drug withdrawal.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your prescriber before using BuTrans patches if you:
Tolerance, dependence, and addiction
This medicine contains buprenorphine which is an opioid medicine. Repeated use of opioids can result in the drug being less
effective (you become accustomed to it, known as tolerance).
Repeated use of BuTrans can also lead to
dependence, abuse, and addiction, which may result in life-threatening overdose. The risk of these side effects can increase with a higher dose and longer duration of use.
Dependence or addiction can make you feel that you are no longer in control of how much medicine you need to take or how often you need to take it.
The risk of becoming dependent or addicted varies from person to person. You may have a greater risk of becoming dependent on or addicted to BuTrans if:
- You or anyone in your family have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines or illegal drugs (“addiction”).
- You are a smoker.
You have ever had problems with your mood (depression, anxiety or a personality disorder) or have been treated by a psychiatrist for other mental
illnesses.
If you notice any of the following signs whilst taking BuTrans, it could be a sign that you have become dependent or addicted,
- You need to take the medicine for longer than advised by your doctor.
- You need to take more than the recommended dose.
- You might feel that you need to carry on taking your medicine, even when it doesn’t help to relieve your pain
- You are using the medicine for reasons other than prescribed, for instance, ‘to stay calm’ or ‘help you sleep’
You have made
repeated, unsuccessful attempts to quit or control the use of the medicine.
When you stop taking the medicine you feel unwell, and you feel better once taking the medicine again
(‘withdrawal effects’). If you notice any of these signs, speak to your doctor to discuss the best treatment pathway for you, including when it is
appropriate to stop
and how to stop safely (see section 3, If you stop taking BuTrans).
The use of these
medicines together with BuTrans patches can lead to serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition if (see “Other medicines and BuTrans patches”);
You suffer from
seizures, fits or
convulsions
You suffer from a
breathing related sleep disorder (sleep apnoea);
- You have a severe headache or feel sick due to a head injury or increased pressure in your skull (for instance due to brain disease). This is because the patches may make symptoms worse or hide the extent of a head injury;
- You are feeling light-headed or faint;
- You have severe liver problems;
You have a high
temperature, as this may lead to larger quantities of the active ingredient being absorbed into the blood than normal;
You suffer from
constipation.
Using this medicine regularly, particularly for a long time, can lead to addiction. Your prescriber should have explained how long you will be using it for and when it is
appropriate to stop, how to do this safely.
Rarely, increasing the dose of this medicine can make you more sensitive to pain. If this happens, you need to speak to your prescriber about your treatment.
Addiction can cause withdrawal symptoms when you stop using this medicine. Withdrawal symptoms can include restlessness, difficulty sleeping, irritability,
agitation, anxiety, feeling your heartbeat
(palpitations), increased blood pressure, feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, shaking, shivering or sweating. Your prescriber will
discuss with you how to gradually reduce your dose before stopping the medicine. It is
important that you do not stop taking the
medicine suddenly
as you will be more likely to experience withdrawal symptoms.
Opioids should only be used by those they are prescribed for. Do not give your medicine to anyone else. Taking higher
doses or more frequent doses of opioid, may increase the risk of
addiction. Overuse and misuse can lead to
overdose and/or death.
Sleep-related breathing disorders
BuTrans patches can cause sleep-related breathing disorders such as sleep apnoea
(breathing pauses during sleep) and sleep related hypoxemia (low oxygen level in the blood). The symptoms can include breathing pauses during sleep, night awakening due to shortness of breath, difficulties to maintain sleep or excessive
drowsiness during the day. If you or another person observe these symptoms, contact your doctor. A dose reduction may be considered by your doctor. This medicine may cause application site reactions which are usually
presented by a mild or
moderate skin
inflammation,
and their typical
appearance may include redness, swelling, itching, rash, small blisters, and painful/burning sensation at the application site. Most commonly the cause is skin irritation, and these reactions stop after
BuTrans patches are removed. More serious allergic reactions may occur such as blisters with discharge, which may spread outside the
application site and may not resolve rapidly after BuTrans removal. Chronic allergic reactions may lead to open wounds, bleeding, ulcers, skin discoloration and infections. If you notice any of the above skin reactions, please contact your doctor. This medicine may
increase your sensitivity to pain particularly at high doses. Tell your doctor if this happens. A reduction in your dose or a change in your medicine may be necessary.
Do not use if you have pain which lasts only for a short period or pain after having an operation because of the increased risk of dependence and developing serious
breathing problems. If you are going to have an operation, or have just had an operation, please tell the doctor at the hospital if you are currently treated with BuTrans transdermal patch to discuss your pain management.
Similar to other opioids, BuTrans patches may affect the normal
production of hormones in the body, such as cortisol or sex hormones,
particularly if you have taken high doses for long period of time.
Children and adolescents
Do not give this medicine to children below 18 years.
Other medicines and BuTrans patches
Tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Some medicines may increase the side effects of BuTrans patches and may sometimes cause very serious reactions. Do not take any other medicines whilst taking BuTrans patches without first
talking to your doctor, especially:
anti-depressants such as moclobemide,
tranylcypromine,
citalopram,
escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, duloxetine, venlafaxine,
amitriptyline, doxepine, or trimipramine.
These medicines may interact with BuTrans patches and you may experience symptoms such as involuntary, rhythmic contractions of muscles, including the muscles that control movement of the eye, agitation, hallucinations, coma, excessive
sweating, tremor, exaggeration of reflexes, increased muscle
tension, body
temperature above 38°C. Contact your doctor when
experiencing such symptoms.
BuTrans patches must not be used together with a type of medicine known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor
(examples include tranylcypromine,
phenelzine,
isocarboxazid,
moclobemide and linezolid), or if you have taken this type of
medicine in the last two weeks.
If you take some
medicines such as phenobarbital or
phenytoin (medicines commonly used to treat seizures, fits or
convulsions),
carbamazepine (a medicine to treat
seizures, fits or
convulsions and certain pain conditions), or rifampicin (a medicine to treat tuberculosis) the effects of BuTrans patches may be
reduced.
BuTrans patches may make some people feel drowsy, sick or faint or make them breathe more slowly or weakly. These side effects may be made worse if other medicines that produce the same effects are taken at the same time. These include certain medicines to treat pain, depression, anxiety, psychiatric or mental disorders, medicines to help you sleep,
medicines to treat high blood pressure such as clonidine, other opioids (which may be found in painkillers or certain cough mixtures e.g. morphine,
dextropropoxyphene, codeine,
dextromethorphan, noscapine),
antihistamines which make you drowsy, or anaesthetics such as halothane.
Concomitant use of BuTrans patches and sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs may increase the risk of drowsiness, difficulties in breathing (respiratory depression), coma and may be life-threatening. Because of this,
concomitant use should only be considered when other treatment options are not possible. However if your doctor does prescribe BuTrans patches together with sedative medicines the dose and duration of concomitant treatment should be limited by your doctor. Please tell your doctor about all sedative medicines you are taking, and follow your doctor’s dose recommendation
closely. It could be helpful to inform friends or relatives to be aware of the signs and
symptoms stated above. Contact your doctor when experiencing such symptoms.
Gabapentin or
pregabalin to treat epilepsy or pain due to nerve problems
(neuropathic pain).
Medicines to treat
depression.
Medicines used to treat allergies, travel sickness or nausea
(antihistamines or
antiemetics).
- Muscle relaxants.
Medicines to treat
Parkinson’s disease
Using BuTrans patches with food, drink and alcohol
Alcohol may make some of the side effects worse and you may feel unwell if you drink alcohol whilst wearing BuTrans patches. Drinking alcohol whilst using BuTrans patches may also affect your reaction time.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
Do not use BuTrans patches if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant unless you have discussed this with your prescriber and the benefits of treatment are considered to outweigh the potential harm to the baby.
If you use BuTrans patches during pregnancy, your baby may become dependent and experience withdrawal symptoms after the birth which may need to be treated.
Do not use BuTrans patches while you are breastfeeding as buprenorphine passes into breast milk and will affect your baby.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines
BuTrans patches may affect your reactions to such an extent that you may not react adequately or quickly enough in the event of unexpected or sudden occurrences. This applies particularly:
- at the beginning of treatment;
- if you are taking medicines to treat anxiety or help you sleep;
- if your dose is increased.
If you are affected (e.g. feel dizzy, drowsy or have blurred vision), you should not drive or operate machinery whilst using BuTrans patches, or for 24 hours after removing the patch.
The medicine can affect your ability to drive as it may make you sleepy or dizzy.
- Do not drive while taking this medicine until you know how it affects you.
- It is an offence to drive while you have this medicine in your body over a specified limit unless you have a defence (called the ‘statutory defence’).
This defence applies when:
The medicine has been prescribed to treat a medical or dental problem; and
- You have taken it according to the instructions given by the prescriber and in the information provided with the medicine.
- Please note that it is still an offence to drive if you are unfit because of the medicine (i.e. your ability to drive is being affected).
Details regarding a new driving offence concerning driving after drugs have been taken in the UK may be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/drug-driving-law
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure whether it is safe for you to drive while taking this medicine.
3. How to use BuTrans patches
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Before starting treatment and regularly during treatment, your doctor will discuss with you what you may expect from using BuTrans, when and how long you need to take it, when to contact your doctor, and when you need to stop it (see also, If you stop taking BuTrans). Different strengths of BuTrans patches are available.
Your doctor will decide which strength of BuTrans patch will suit you best. When people first start using BuTrans, they often experience some nausea and vomiting (see section 4). This usually passes after the first week of treatment. It’s a good idea to book a follow-up appointment with your doctor a week or two after you first start using
BuTrans patches to ensure that you are taking the correct dose and to manage any side effects. During treatment, your doctor may change the patch you use to a smaller or larger one if necessary, or tell you to use a combination of up to two patches. Do not cut or divide the patch or use a higher dose than recommended.
You should not apply more than two patches at the same time, up to a maximum total dose of
40 micrograms/hour.
Your prescriber should have discussed with you how long the course of patches will last. They will arrange a plan for
stopping treatment. This will outline how to
gradually reduce the dose and stop taking the
medicine.
Adults and elderly patients
Unless your doctor has told you differently, attach one BuTrans patch (as described in detail below) and change it every seventh day, preferably at the same time of day. Your doctor may wish to adjust the dose after 3-7 days until the correct level of pain control has been found. If your doctor has advised you to take other painkillers in addition to the patch, strictly follow the doctor’s instructions, otherwise you will not fully benefit from treatment with the BuTrans patch. The patch should be worn for 3 full days before increasing the dose, this is when the maximum effect of a given dose is established.
Patients under 18 years of age
BuTrans patches should not be used in patients below the age of 18 years.
Patients with kidney disease/dialysis patients
In patients with kidney disease, no change in dose is necessary.
Patients with liver disease
In patients with liver disease, the effects and period of action of the BuTrans patch may be affected and your doctor will therefore check on you more closely.
Before applying the BuTrans patch
Choose an area of non-irritated, intact skin on your upper arm, outer arm, upper chest, upper back or side of the chest. (See
illustrations below). Ask for assistance if you cannot apply the patch yourself.
- The BuTrans patch should be applied to a relatively hairless or nearly hairless skin site. If no suitable hair free sites are available the hairs should be cut off with a pair of scissors. Do not shave them off.
- Avoid skin which is red, irritated or has any other blemishes, for instance large scars.
- The area of skin you choose must be dry and clean. If necessary, wash it with cold or lukewarm water.
Do not use soap,
alcohol, oil, lotions or other detergents. After a hot bath or shower, wait until your skin is
completely dry and cool. Do not apply lotion, cream or ointment to the chosen area. This might prevent your patch from sticking properly.
Applying the patch
Step 1:
Each patch is sealed in a pouch. Just before use, cut the pouch along the dotted line with scissors. Be careful not to damage the transdermal patches with the scissors. Take out the patch. Do not use the patch if the pouch seal is broken.
Step 2:
The sticky side of the patch is covered with a silvery protective foil. Carefully peel off half the foil. Try not to touch the sticky part of the patch.
Step 3: Stick the patch on to the area of skin you have chosen and remove the remaining foil.
Step 4:
Press the patch against your skin with the palm of your hand and count slowly to 30. Make sure that the whole patch is in contact with your skin, especially at the edges.
Wearing the patch
You should wear the patch for seven days. Provided that you have applied the patch correctly, there is little risk of it coming off. If the edges of the patch begin to peel off, they may be taped down with a suitable skin tape. You may shower, bathe or swim whilst wearing it. Do not expose the patch to extreme heat (e.g. heating pads, electric blanket, heat lamps, sauna, hot tubs, heated water beds, hot water bottle, etc) as this may lead to larger quantities of the active ingredient being absorbed into the blood than normal. External heat may also prevent the patch from sticking
properly. If you have a high temperature this may alter the effects of
BuTrans patches (see “Take special care”
section above).
In the unlikely event that your patch falls off before it needs changing, do not use the same patch again. Stick a new one on
straight away (see
“Changing the patch” below).
Changing the patch
- Take the old patch off.
- Fold it in half with the sticky side inwards.
Open and take out a new patch. Use the empty pouch to dispose of the old patch. Now discard the pouch safely.
Even used patches contain some active ingredient that may harm children or
animals, so make sure your used patches are always kept out of the sight and reach of them.
- Stick a new patch on a different appropriate skin site (as described above). You should not apply a new patch to the same site for 3-4 weeks.
Remember to change your patch at the same time of day. It is
important that you make a note of the time of day.
Duration of treatment
Your doctor will tell you how long you should be treated with the BuTrans patch.
Do not stop treatment without consulting a doctor, because your pain may return and you may feel unwell (see also “If you stop using BuTrans patches” below).
If you feel that the effect of the BuTrans patch is too weak or too strong, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you use more BuTrans patches than you should
As soon as you discover that you have used more patches than you should, remove all patches and call your doctor or hospital straight away. People who have taken an overdose may feel very sleepy and sick. They may also have breathing difficulties or lose consciousness and may need emergency treatment in hospital. When seeking medical attention make sure that you take this leaflet and any remaining patches with you to show to the doctor.
If you forget to apply the BuTrans patch
Stick a new patch on as soon as you remember. Also make a note of the date, as your usual day of changing may now be different. If you are very late changing your patch, your pain may return. In this case, please contact your doctor. Do not apply additional patches to make up for the for the forgotten application.
If you stop using
BuTrans patches
Do not suddenly stop using this medicine. If you want to stop using this medicine, discuss this with your prescriber first. They will tell you how to do this,
usually by reducing the dose gradually so that any unpleasant withdrawal effects are kept to a minimum. Withdrawal symptoms such as
restlessness, difficulty sleeping, irritability,
agitation, anxiety, feeling your heartbeat
(palpitations), increased blood pressure, feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, shaking, shivering or sweating may occur if you suddenly stop taking this medicine.
If you stop using BuTrans patches too soon or you interrupt your treatment your pain may return. The pain relieving effect of BuTrans patch is
maintained for some time after removal of the patch. You should not start another opioid analgesic (strong painkiller) within 24 hours after removal of the patch.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. 
Possible side
effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Serious side effects that may be associated with BuTrans patches are similar to those seen with other strong painkillers and include difficulty in breathing and low blood pressure.
This medicine can cause allergic reactions, although serious allergic reactions are rare. Remove the patch and tell your doctor immediately if you get any sudden wheeziness, difficulties in breathing, swelling of the eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching especially those covering your whole body.
Drug withdrawal
When you stop using BuTrans patches
you may experience drug withdrawal symptoms, which include
restlessness, difficulty sleeping, irritability,
agitation, anxiety, feeling your heartbeat
(palpitations),
increased blood pressure, feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, shaking,
shivering or sweating.
How do I know if I am addicted?
If you notice any of the following signs whilst using BuTrans patches, it could be a sign that you have become addicted.
You need to use the patches for longer than advised by your
prescriber;
- You feel you need to use more than the recommended dose;
- You are using the medicine for reasons other than prescribed;
- When you stop taking the medicine you feel unwell, and you feel better once taking the medicine again.
If you notice any of these signs it is important you talk to your prescriber. In patients treated with BuTrans patches, the following other side effects have been reported:
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- Headache, dizziness, drowsiness.
- Constipation, feeling or actually being sick.
- Itchy skin.
Rash, redness, itching, inflammation or swelling of the skin at the
application site.
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- Loss of appetite.
- Confusion, depression, anxiety, difficulty in sleeping, nervousness, shaking (tremors).
- Shortness of breath.
- Abdominal pain or discomfort, diarrhoea, indigestion, dry mouth.
- Sweating, rash, skin eruptions.
- Tiredness, a feeling of unusual weakness, muscle weakness, swelling of hands, ankles or feet.
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Restlessness, agitation, a feeling of extreme happiness,
hallucinations,
nightmares, decreased sexual drive,
aggression.
- Changes in taste, difficulty in speaking, reduced sensitivity to pain or touch, tingling or numbness.
Loss of memory, migraine, fainting, problems with
concentration or co-ordination.
Dry eyes, blurred vision.
- A ringing or buzzing sound in the ears, a feeling of dizziness or spinning.
- High or low blood pressure, chest pain, fast or irregular heart beat.
Cough, hiccups,
wheezing.
- Wind.
- Weight loss.
- Dry skin.
- Spasms, aches and pains.
- Difficulty in beginning the flow of urine.
- Fever.
An increase in
accidental injuries (e.g. falls).
Withdrawal symptoms such as agitation, anxiousness, sweating or shaking upon
stopping using BuTrans patches (see section ‘Drug withdrawal’). If you need to have blood tests remind your doctor that you are using
BuTrans patches. This is important because
BuTrans patches may change the way your liver works and this could affect the results of some blood tests.
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1000 people)
- Angina (chest pain associated with heart disease).
- Mental disorder.
- Difficulties with balance.
- Swelling of the eyelids or face, a reduction in size of the pupils in the eye.
- Difficulty in breathing, worsening of asthma, over breathing.
- A feeling of faintness, especially on standing up.
- Difficulty in swallowing.
- Local allergic reaction with marked signs of swelling (in such cases treatment should be stopped).
- Swelling and irritation inside the nose.
- Decreased erection, sexual dysfunction.
- A flu like illness.
- Flushing of the skin.
- Dehydration.
Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)
- Muscle twitching.
- Mood swings.
- Ear pain.
Blisters.
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
- Problems with breathing during sleep (sleep apnoea syndrome), see section 2 “Warnings and precautions.”
Seizures, fits or
convulsions.
- Inflammation of the bowel wall. Symptoms may include fever, vomiting and stomach pain or discomfort.
- An increased sensitivity to pain.
- Colicky abdominal pain or discomfort.
- Feeling detached from oneself.
Withdrawal symptoms in babies born to mothers who have been given BuTrans in pregnancy may include high-
pitched crying, irritability and restlessness,
shaking (tremor),
feeding difficulties, sweating and not putting on weight.
A need to take
increasingly higher doses of this medicine to obtain the same level of pain relief (tolerance).
- Dermatitis contact (skin rash with inflammation which may include burning sensation), skin discolouration.
Dependence and
addiction (see section ‘How do I know if I am addicted?’).
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor,
pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/
yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store
BuTrans patches Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use BuTrans patches after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and on the pouch. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. After the expiry date, take any unused patches to a pharmacy.
Do not store above 25°C.
Do not use the patch if the pouch seal is broken. Store this medicine in a safe and secure place, where other people cannot access it. It can cause serious harm and be fatal to people who may take this medicine by accident, or intentionally when it has not been prescribed for them.
Used patches must be folded over on themselves with the adhesive layer inwards, and discarded safely out of sight and reach of children.
If the patches become discoloured or show any other signs of deterioration, consult your pharmacist who will tell you what to do.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What BuTrans patches contain
The active ingredient is buprenorphine.
One transdermal patch (active surface area: 25 cm2) contains 20 mg of buprenorphine and releases
20 micrograms/hour over a period of 7 days.
The other ingredients are:
- Polyacrylate (Durotak 387-2051 & 387-2054)
- Levulinic acid
- Oleyl oleate
- Povidone
- Polyethylene-terephthalate
What BuTrans patches look like and contents of the pack
BuTrans 20 microgram/ hour transdermal patch: square, beige coloured patch with rounded corners marked in blue with ‘Norspan
20 mg’ and ‘20 μg/h’ on an aluminium rigid and removable protective layer.
BuTrans patches are available in cartons containing 4 child resistant pouches each containing a single patch.
Manufacturer:
Mundipharma DC B.V., Leusderend 16, 3832 RC Leusden, The
Netherlands.
Procured from within the EU and repackaged by PL holder: PilsCo Ltd., 10-16 Colvilles Place, East Kilbride, G75 0SN.
BuTrans®
20 microgram/hour transdermal patches
PL 39467/0636
POM CD
This leaflet was last revised on 19/05/2025.
BuTrans® is a registered trademark of
Mundipharma AG.
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Call 01355 711697 to obtain the leaflet in a format suitable for you.
PIL0636.2