Buprenorphine Hydrochloride

**Semantic type:** Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** The hydrochloride salt form of buprenorphine, a synthetic phenanthrene with narcotic analgesic activity. Buprenorphine hydrochloride is a partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor and an antagonist at the kapa-opioid receptor in the central nervous system. However, under the conditions of recommended use it behaves as a classic mu-opioid agonist, mimicking the actions of endogenous peptides at CNS opioid receptors. The agonist action results in a raised pain threshold and increased tolerance to pain. However, it also causes sedation, physical dependence, and respiratory depressant effects and decreases heart rate and blood pressure.

**Synonyms:** - (5alpha,7alpha(S))-alpha-tert-Butyl-17-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4,5-epoxy-18,19-dihydro-3-hydroxy-6-methoxy-alpha-methyl-6,14-ethenomorphinan-7-methanol Hydrochloride - BUPRENORPHINE HYDROCHLORIDE - Buprenex - NIH 8805 - RX 6029-M HCl - Subutex