How Long Does Butrans Stay in Your System?

Butrans is a transdermal patch that is applied to your skin on a weekly basis. The medication will stay in your system between 55 and 132 hours from the removal of your last patch. The exact amount of time Butrans remains in your system will vary, depending on several factors outlined below.

Inform your doctor if you are experiencing any side effects from Butrans and avoid any interactive medications while it remains in your system. If you’re unsure about the safety of taking other medications and drinking alcohol while wearing your patch, or after you’ve removed it, talk to your doctor.

Butrans Prescription Facts

Butrans is a transdermal patch that contains the prescription buprenorphine. It’s applied to the skin and delivers the opioid medication to alter the way the central nervous system perceives and reacts to pain. Butrans is prescribed to treat those suffering from severe on-going pain.

The Butrans patch can also be prescribed to help with the opioid detoxification process and withdrawal recovery from heroin and other opioids. If you feel you need to use Butrans for this purpose, talk to your doctor.

As with most prescription medications, Butrans has possible side effects, some common and some serious.

The common side effects from Butrans include nausea, vomiting, constipation, lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, or headache. Since Butrans is a transdermal patch, you may experience irritation, itching, or redness on your skin where it’s applied.

There’s a chance you will experience serious side effects from Butrans, such as:

  • Slow heart rate
  • Weak or shallow breathing
  • Deep sighs
  • Snoring that is new for you or unusual
  • Confusion
  • Severe dizziness
  • Feeling like you might pass out
  • Blisters
  • Swelling
  • Severe irritation at the patch site
  • Seizure (convulsions)

If you experience any side effects, call your doctor right away, as some of these may be serious. You can decide together if Butrans is the right medication and delivery system for you.

Butrans Regulations

Butrans contains buprenorphine, which is a schedule III controlled substance in the United States. Drugs listed as a schedule III controlled substance have the potential to be addictive, but less so than those drugs listed on schedules I and II.

Although there is a lower chance of addiction to Butrans compared to other opioids, it’s still possible.

Most Commonly Abused Drugs Containing Butrans

Butrans is not contained in any other drugs, as it’s a patch. Buprenorphine, the active ingredient in Butrans, is sometimes misused in place of heroin because it has similar effects. Because it’s not contained in other medications, those who have been using Butrans (or buprenorphine) will find it difficult to get pain relief from another opioid.

How Butrans Affects the Brain and Body

Butrans affects your central nervous system to change the way your body experiences pain. In doing so, it depresses your respiratory system and has a chance of causing hypotension in your heart. This prescription also affects the gastrointestinal and immune systems.

Do not abruptly stop taking Butrans or any opioid, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms. Consult your doctor and have him assist you in weaning off this prescription, if that is what you have decided.

Half-Life of Butrans

The half-life of a medication is the time it takes for the effectiveness to be cut in half after a person stakes their last dose. In the case with Butrans, this would be after you take off the transdermal patch. The half-life for Butrans is 10 to 24 hours.

Factors That Influence How Long Butrans Stays in Your System

There are several factors that influence how long Butrans will stay in your system after removing the transdermal patch. These factors include age, gender, liver and kidney function, dosage, and length of time wearing the patches.

Your doctor can help you figure out the approximate time frame Butran will stay in your system, based on your physical characteristics. Inform your doctor of your complete medical history, so he can accurately help you.

Related Topic: How long does suboxone stay in your system

How Long Does Butrans Stay in Your Urine, Hair, and Blood?

Butrans will show up in a drug test screening, so it’s important to inform your drug test administrator that you are wearing or have recently worn this prescription patch. Butrans will stay in your urine and blood for up to six days, but will stay in your hair considerably longer. Drug tests on your hair can show traces of Butrans for up to 90 days after your last dose.

If you feel you or a loved one is misusing Butrans, don’t wait to get help. Go online to www.TheRecoveryVillage.com or call 24/7 to our toll-free hotline at 855-548-9825 to learn more about the road to recovery. We can help you overcome your addiction today.

Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.