Buprenorphine Lawsuit

Lawsuits have been filed for people who were prescribed opioid painkillers and suffered injury or death from an accidental overdose or addiction.

What is Buprenorphine?

Buprenorphine is an opioid medication that is prescribed for the treatment of moderate to severe pain that is constant. It can be administered as a skin patch, injection, into the mouth, or implant. The implant is used in the treatment of opioid dependence or addiction.

Suboxone and Subutex

In October 2002, the FDA approved two under-the-tongue formulations of buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid addiction:

• Subutex (buprenorphine)
• Suboxone(buprenorphine and naloxone)

Buprenorphine and Opioid Addiction Treatment

Buprenorphine is often considered to be a safer opioid addiction treatment medication than methadone. Buprenorphine isn’t a full opioid, so it does not cause euphoria or a “high” feeling. As a result, buprenorphine can help prevent opioid withdrawal symptoms, as well as decrease intense cravings for opiates like heroin or painkillers.

Buprenorphine Overdose

Taking buprenorphine for more than a few days will cause the body to become tolerant, which means that the person needs to take a higher dose to experience the same effects. If they stop taking buprenorphine, they will experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. If they take a higher dose, this increases the risk of an overdose.

Buprenorphine Overdose Symptoms

• Slow or stopped breathing
• Difficulty breathing
• Slow or stopped breathing
• Difficulty breathing
• Excessive sleepiness
• Limp or weak muscles
• Narrowing or widening of the pupils (dark circle in eye)
• Cold, clammy skin
• Loss of consciousness
• Coma
• Excessive sleepiness
• Limp or weak muscles
• Narrowing or widening of the pupils (dark circle in eye)
• Cold, clammy skin
• Loss of consciousness
• Coma
• Death

Buprenorphine Class Action & MDL

Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed by victims of the opioid crisis, so most of the cases are currently centralized in a Multi-District Litigation (MDL) in Ohio where they are overseen by Judge Dan A. Polster. The opioid MDL is similar to a class action, but each case is independent.