Can Buprenorphine Raise Blood Pressure?

Most forms of buprenorphine don’t typically cause high blood pressure. In fact, the opposite is more common. Buprenorphine usually lowers blood pressure rather than raising it. This happens because the medication slows down your central nervous system, which can make your heart rate and blood pressure drop. Low blood pressure, also called hypotension, is something doctors watch for when people start taking buprenorphine.

However, there is one exception to this pattern. People who use Butrans patches, which deliver buprenorphine through the skin, may experience high blood pressure as a side effect. This doesn’t happen to everyone, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re using this particular form of the medication. If you notice symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or chest discomfort while wearing a Butrans patch, it’s worth checking your blood pressure and talking to your doctor.

Learn more about the side effects of buprenorphine

How Does Buprenorphine Cause High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure isn’t a typical side effect of buprenorphine, so if you’re experiencing it, something specific is likely causing the problem. The most common reason is using Butrans patches, which are applied to the skin once a week. For reasons that aren’t completely clear, this patch form of buprenorphine can raise blood pressure in some people, even though other forms of the medication usually lower it. If you notice your blood pressure going up while using Butrans, let your doctor know so they can adjust your treatment.

Another possible cause of high blood pressure is withdrawal from buprenorphine. If you’ve been taking buprenorphine regularly and suddenly stop or drastically reduce your dose, your body goes through withdrawal. One of the withdrawal symptoms can be elevated blood pressure as your nervous system rebounds from no longer having the medication. This is why doctors recommend tapering off buprenorphine slowly rather than quitting cold turkey.

Buprenorphine And Low Blood Pressure

Low blood pressure is actually more common than high blood pressure when taking buprenorphine. This happens because buprenorphine slows down your central nervous system, which naturally causes your heart rate and blood pressure to drop. For most people, this decrease is mild and doesn’t cause problems. However, some people experience dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling faint when they stand up too quickly, which are signs that their blood pressure has dropped too low.

One specific cause of low blood pressure with buprenorphine is adrenal insufficiency, which can develop after taking the medication long-term. This condition affects your body’s hormone system and reduces the hormones your adrenal glands produce. Besides low blood pressure, you might notice extreme tiredness, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or feeling dizzy when you stand.

Allergic Reaction

Hypotension while taking buprenorphine can be a sign of an allergic reaction. A buprenorphine allergy may require medical attention and a change in medication.

Signs of an allergic reaction to buprenorphine:

• low blood pressure
• hives
• rash
• wheezing
• swelling of the face
• loss of consciousness

Depressant Effects

Buprenorphine is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. This means it slows activity in the central nervous system, which may temporarily decrease blood pressure and cause drowsiness.

Use Of Other CNS Depressants

Taking other prescription depressants with buprenorphine may cause hypotension. This can include the use of buprenorphine with other opioids, benzodiazepines, or sleep medications.

Overdose

Low blood pressure is a symptom of opioid overdose. If someone has taken a very high dose of buprenorphine, or has mixed it with another depressant, this can cause a serious adverse reaction.

Experiencing severe effects on blood pressure is not common with buprenorphine. For many people, the benefits of buprenorphine outweigh the side effects.

Find Buprenorphine Treatment For Opioid Addiction Today

Buprenorphine is one of a select few medications that is FDA-approved to treat opioid use disorder, which affects an estimated 1.6 million people in the United States.

Buprenorphine can:

• reduce opioid cravings
• treat opioid withdrawal symptoms
• reduce the risk of opioid overdose
• help support opioid addiction recovery

Browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information about addiction recovery.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff