How Long Does A Butrans Patch Take To Work?

Butrans patches start working within one to three days after someone applies them to their skin, but the effects are not immediate like with some other pain medications. Since Butrans is designed as a slow-release medication, it takes time for the body to absorb enough of the active ingredient, buprenorphine, to provide effective pain relief. The exact timing can vary from person to person based on different physical factors such as body weight, skin condition, and how quickly their body processes the medication.

Whether someone is using a Butrans patch for the first time or their doctor has increased their dose, the body still needs time to build up the right amount of medication in the system to work properly. This gradual release system is designed to provide steady, long-lasting pain control over several days, but it means people need to be patient during the first few days while the medication reaches effective levels in their body.

Learn more about using Butrans to overcome opioid addiction

When Will Butrans Start To Wear Off?

Butrans begins to wear off at the seven-day mark. This is why Butrans patches should be replaced with new patches after seven days. If a new patch is not administered, the effects of Butrans will begin to wear off after one to three days.

This medication has a half-life of approximately 26 hours. After the patch is removed, buprenorphine concentrations decrease about 50% within 10 to 24 hours. As long as Butrans patches are replaced once a week, the effects should not wear off or cause any symptoms of withdrawal.

How Long Does Butrans Stay In Your System?

After the last patch is removed, Butrans will remain in the system for about two to six days. It can appear in drug tests for up to 90 days. Butrans can be detected in the urine and blood for six days, and in the hair for up to 90 days.

The length of time Butrans remains in your system depends on the following factors:

• age
• metabolism
• kidney function
• dose of Butrans
• how long the patch was worn

It’s important to remember that even though the pain-relieving effects of Butrans may wear off, the medication can still be detected in the body for much longer. If someone needs to take a drug test for work or other reasons, they should let the testing facility know about their prescription medication ahead of time to avoid any confusion about the results.

What If The Butrans Patch Isn’t Working?

If it’s been less than three days, keep waiting for Butrans to kick in. Doctors administering Butrans patches must wait a minimum of 72 hours to adjust the dosage. Here is what to do if you’ve been taking Butrans and it’s not relieving any symptoms of pain.

Talk To Your Doctor

If it’s been longer than three days and you still don’t feel the effects of Butrans, you may need a dose adjustment. Butrans should not take longer than three days to provide pain relief. If the medication is not relieving any of your pain, contact your doctor and talk about changing the prescription. Your doctor may also decide to start you on another pain medication while using Butrans.

Never Adjust Your Dose

Do not change your dose or apply two Butrans patches without the approval of your doctor. Taking too much buprenorphine can result in extreme drowsiness, low blood pressure, and slowed or stopped breathing.

Get Butrans Treatment For Opioid Addiction

There is a range of addiction treatment available to those with an opioid use disorder, including pain relief from Butrans patches. Many of these programs utilize medication-assisted detox and behavioral therapies to take a holistic approach to recovery. Browse our directory or contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for more helpful information about addiction recovery.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff