Top Buprenorphine Brands: A Guide to Leading Choices

When it comes to managing opioid dependence, buprenorphine has been recognized as a valuable medication in helping individuals achieve recovery. As its use has become more widespread, various brands have emerged, each offering unique formulations and strengths to cater to diverse patient needs. Some brands focus on combining buprenorphine with naloxone to reduce the risk of misuse, while others provide mono-product options for those who may be allergic or sensitive to additional compounds. To explore the top brands of buprenorphine and find the most suitable option for treatment, continue reading below.

Illustration of buprenorphine

Best brands of buprenorphine in 2025

Suboxone

Suboxone, a leading brand in the treatment of opioid addiction, is renowned for its effective buprenorphine and naloxone formulations. The U.S. Suboxone market is valued at USD 2.29 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% until 2031, reaching USD 3.15 billion. Suboxone is available in various strengths, including 2 mg/0.5 mg and 8 mg/2 mg sublingual films and tablets, each containing a specific ratio of buprenorphine to naloxone. The product's strong pipeline and the introduction of generic formulations have been key drivers of its market growth. With a stable national buprenorphine dispensing rate, Suboxone remains a critical component in opioid addiction treatment. For detailed information on dosage and formulations, visit the Suboxone dosage guide.

Zubsolv

Zubsolv, a brand name for buprenorphine/naloxone, is a leading product in the treatment of opioid dependence, approved by the FDA in various formulations since July 3, 2013. It is manufactured by Orexo US INC and comes in several strengths, including 0.7 mg / 0.18 mg to 11.4 mg / 2.9 mg sublingual tablets. Buprenorphine, the active ingredient, accounts for 70.02% of the global revenue in the naltrexone and buprenorphine market as of 2023, highlighting its efficacy and widespread use. Zubsolv stands out for its safety profile, with a lower risk of overdose and respiratory depression compared to full opioid agonists. The global naltrexone and buprenorphine market, led by buprenorphine products like Zubsolv, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.41% from 2024 to 2030. For more information on its availability, you can visit the Zubsolv availability page.

Bunavail

Bunavail, a brand name for the buprenorphine and naloxone combination, was approved by the FDA in 2014 for the treatment of opioid dependence. It was available in various strengths, including 2.1mg/0.3mg, 4.2mg/0.7mg, and 6.3mg/1mg, although these have been discontinued since March 2020 due to market competition. Despite its discontinuation, Bunavail was part of a comprehensive treatment plan that included counseling and psychosocial support. The drug worked by reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings through buprenorphine, while naloxone prevented abuse by blocking opioid effects if injected. However, other brands and generic versions of buprenorphine/naloxone remain available for opioid use disorder treatment.

Sublocade

Sublocade, a brand-name prescription medication from Indivior, stands out as a leading producer of buprenorphine for treating opioid use disorder (OUD). It is an injectable form of buprenorphine, administered subcutaneously once a month, which helps maintain a steady therapeutic level and reduces the risk of misuse. A recent study in Canada showed that Sublocade was associated with a significantly lower incidence of non-fatal opioid overdoses, with a rate of 1.7% compared to 19.3% for sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone and 46.8% for methadone. The treatment has high retention rates, with 78% of individuals remaining on the treatment for six months. Sublocade's extended-release formulation ensures consistent symptom control, making it a promising solution in medication-assisted treatment (MAT). For more information, visit the Indivior website.

Probuphine

Probuphine, marketed by Titan Pharmaceuticals and Braeburn Pharmaceuticals, is a pioneering buprenorphine implant approved by the FDA in 2016 for the maintenance treatment of opioid dependence. It provides a constant, low-level dose of buprenorphine for six months, suitable for patients stable on low-to-moderate doses of other buprenorphine forms. In clinical trials, 63% of Probuphine-treated patients showed no evidence of illicit opioid use throughout the six-month treatment period, comparable to the 64% response rate of those on sublingual buprenorphine. Each kit contains four 80 mg implants, with an annual acquisition cost of $2,990 per patient. Despite its effectiveness, Titan Pharmaceuticals ceased manufacturing Probuphine in 2020.

Buprenex

Buprenex, a brand of buprenorphine, is renowned for its efficacy in managing severe pain and treating opioid use disorder. It acts as a partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor and an antagonist at the kappa-opioid receptor, with a high affinity for the mu-receptor that surpasses other opioids. The pharmacological effects of Buprenex occur within 15 minutes after intramuscular injection and can persist for 6 hours or longer, with peak effects typically observed at 1 hour. Buprenorphine has a longer elimination half-life, ranging from 24 to 42 hours, which is significantly longer than naloxone's half-life of 2 to 12 hours. This prolonged action contributes to its effectiveness in preventing withdrawal symptoms in opioid-dependent patients. For detailed information, you can refer to the FDA label document.

Belbuca

Belbuca, developed by Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc., is a leading brand for buprenorphine, particularly notable for its innovative buccal film formulation that enhances absorption and reduces the potential for misuse. Approved by the FDA in October 2015, Belbuca is designed for the management of chronic pain, offering seven dosage strengths from 75 mg to 900 mg every 12 hours, which allows for flexible and individualized dosing. This medication utilizes patented BioErodible MucoAdhesive (BEMA(r)) technology, making it a potent analgesic with a long duration of action and lower abuse potential compared to Schedule II opioids. Belbuca is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance, indicating its lower risk of addiction. With its unique delivery system, Belbuca provides significant pain relief with a low incidence of typical opioid-like side effects. For more information, visit the Belbuca history page.

Subutex

Subutex, a brand name for buprenorphine, is a highly effective medication for treating opioid use disorder and managing opioid withdrawal symptoms. It was approved by the FDA in 2002 and is classified as a Schedule III substance, indicating a lower potential for abuse compared to Schedule II substances like methadone. Subutex contains only buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist that reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing a euphoric state when used as directed. As of 2013, nearly 16,000 physicians were certified to prescribe buprenorphine-based products like Subutex. Despite its effectiveness, Subutex has a higher abuse potential compared to Suboxone, which includes naloxone to deter misuse. For more detailed information, refer to the Wikipedia page on buprenorphine.

Butrans

Butrans, a brand of buprenorphine transdermal system, is a leading product in the market for managing moderate to severe chronic pain and opioid use disorder. It is available in five different strengths, releasing 5, 7.5, 10, 15, and 20 micrograms of buprenorphine per hour over a 7-day period. Butrans is notable for its continuous systemic delivery, making it a preferred option for patients requiring long-term pain management. In the U.S., buprenorphine transdermal systems like Butrans account for a significant portion of opioid use disorder treatments, with pediatric prescriptions being less than 0.1% of total annual prescriptions. The product's efficacy and safety profile have contributed to its widespread use, particularly in retail pharmacy settings. For detailed information, visit the Butrans drug information page.

Temgesic

Temgesic is a reputable brand known for its high-quality buprenorphine formulations, particularly for the short-term relief of severe pain. The Temgesic injection contains 300 micrograms of buprenorphine per mL and is indicated for use when other pain management options are inappropriate. The sublingual tablets have a bioavailability of about 35%, with each tablet containing 216 micrograms of buprenorphine hydrochloride. Buprenorphine, the active ingredient, is a partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor and has a high potency due to its lipophilicity. It is crucial to use Temgesic with caution in patients with hepatic or severe renal impairment.