Buprenorphine
Belbuca is a brand-name opioid medication containing buprenorphine that comes as a buccal film applied inside the cheek. It is used for the management of chronic pain severe enough to require around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment when other options are inadequate. Belbuca is intended for patients who are already tolerant to opioids.
Belbuca is a prescription opioid film used to manage chronic pain in opioid-tolerant patients.
Key facts at a glance
- RxNorm
- 1716058
- Generic
- Belbuca
- Class
- brand-name
- Brands
- —
- Availability
- rx
- Lactation
- unknown
- Routes
- —
- Forms
- —
- Regions
- US, EU, CN, JP
- Monitoring
- —
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Management of chronic pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment for which alternative treatment options are inadequate.
Buprenorphine, the active ingredient in Belbuca, is a partial mu-opioid receptor agonist. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, reducing the perception of pain.
Belbuca carries a boxed warning for risk of addiction, abuse, and misuse. It is only for opioid-tolerant patients and carries serious risks including respiratory depression, particularly when combined with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants. Do not crush or cut the film. Avoid eating food or drinking beverages while the film is in place.
Official drug label
WellAlly may earn a referral fee from linked resources at no extra cost to you. Editorial content is never influenced by commercial relationships.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed September 3, 2026. · Read our editorial policy