Buprenorphine is a prescription drug that is used to treat opioid dependence. It is taken as a regular dose to remove the need for illicit opioids such as heroin, or in the treatment of pharmaceutical opioid dependence. This is often referred to as opioid agonist treatment or opioid substitution treatment (OST). 

This fact sheet includes:

  • What is buprenorphine?
  • What are the effects?
  • What are the risks?