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Buprenorphine

Opioid partial mu agonist

Last reviewed 19 Apr 2026 · PetCare.AI Editorial Team

Species

Dog, Cat

Brands

4 available

Interactions

4 documented

Formulations

Mechanism of action

Partial agonist at mu opioid receptors with high receptor affinity and slow dissociation, providing prolonged moderate analgesia with ceiling effect on respiratory depression; also kappa antagonist

At a glance

Class

Opioid partial mu agonist

Schedule

Controlled Substance

Storage

Store below 25°C, protect from light; Schedule H controlled substance

Dosing

🐕

Dog

Moderate pain / Perioperative analgesia

Dose

0.01–0.04 mg/kg

Route

IV, IM, OTM (transmucosal)

Frequency

q6–8h

Max dose

1 mg/dose; 4 mg/day

Duration: As needed; longer duration than butorphanol

🐈

Cat

Moderate pain / Perioperative analgesia

Dose

0.01–0.03 mg/kg

Route

IV, IM, OTM (transmucosal)

Frequency

q6–12h

Max dose

0.3 mg/dose; 0.6 mg/day

Duration: OTM route preferred in cats; excellent buccal absorption

Extended-release (Simbadol)

Dose

0.24 mg/kg

Route

Frequency

Once, lasts 24–72h

Max dose

1.8 mg

Duration: Single injection for perioperative pain

Educational reference only

This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. Find a vet near you →

Formulations

💉

Injection — 1

Strength

0.3mg/mL

Available in India

💉

Injection (extended-release, simbadol) — 1

Strength

1.8mg/mL

Storage

Store below 25°C, protect from light; Schedule H controlled substance

Safety

Absolute contraindications — do not use

Known hypersensitivity

Use with caution

Concurrent full mu agonists
May partially antagonize; administer buprenorphine first or avoid
Severe hepatic disease
Hepatic metabolism

Adverse effects

Common

Sedation

Hypothermia (cats)

Mydriasis (cats)

Serious

Respiratory depression (less than full agonists)

Bradycardia

Difficult to antagonize with naloxone due to high receptor affinity

Monitoring parameters

Pain scoresRespiratory rateBody temperature (cats)Heart rate

Educational reference only

Interactions

Major — 4

Butorphanol

major

Both are partial/mixed opioid agonists; compete for mu receptors, reducing analgesia

Management: Do not use concurrently. Choose one opioid.

Morphine Sulfate

major

Buprenorphine is a partial mu-agonist with very high receptor binding affinity. It occupies mu-receptors and prevents full agonists from achieving full analgesic potential.

Management: Do not combine. Allow 4-6h for buprenorphine dissociation before giving full mu-agonist. If rescue needed on buprenorphine, use non-opioid (NSAID, ketamine CRI).

Hydromorphone

major

Buprenorphine's high mu-receptor affinity and partial agonist ceiling effect blocks hydromorphone from achieving full analgesia.

Management: Do not combine. Allow buprenorphine to wear off (4-6h) before full mu-agonist.

Fentanyl

major

Buprenorphine displaces fentanyl from mu-receptors due to higher binding affinity, reducing fentanyl analgesic effect.

Management: Do not combine. If fentanyl CRI running and analgesia inadequate, increase fentanyl dose rather than adding buprenorphine.

Educational reference only

Brands

India

Buprigesic

Neon Labs

Bupricare

Intas

International

Simbadol

Zoetis

Buprenodale

Dechra

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

›What is Buprenorphine?

Buprenorphine is a opioid partial mu agonist used in pets. Partial agonist at mu opioid receptors with high receptor affinity and slow dissociation, providing prolonged moderate analgesia with ceiling effect on respiratory depression; also kappa antagonist

›What is Buprenorphine used for in pets?

Buprenorphine is used in veterinary medicine for: Moderate pain / Perioperative analgesia; Extended-release (Simbadol).

›What is the Buprenorphine dose for dogs?

For dogs, Buprenorphine is typically dosed as follows — Moderate pain / Perioperative analgesia: 0.01–0.04 mg/kg IV/IM/OTM (transmucosal) q6–8h. Always consult your veterinarian for a dose tailored to your pet's weight, age, and condition.

›What is the Buprenorphine dose for cats?

For cats, Buprenorphine is typically dosed as follows — Moderate pain / Perioperative analgesia: 0.01–0.03 mg/kg IV/IM/OTM (transmucosal) q6–12h; Extended-release (Simbadol): 0.24 mg/kg SC Once, lasts 24–72h. Always consult your veterinarian for a dose tailored to your pet's weight, age, and condition.

›What are the side effects of Buprenorphine?

Common: Sedation, Hypothermia (cats), Mydriasis (cats). Serious (call your vet immediately): Respiratory depression (less than full agonists), Bradycardia, Difficult to antagonize with naloxone due to high receptor affinity.

›Does Buprenorphine need a prescription?

Buprenorphine is available over the counter. Even so, you should consult your veterinarian before giving any medication to your pet.

›When should Buprenorphine not be used?

Do not use Buprenorphine if: Known hypersensitivity.

Educational reference only

References

The PetCare.AI drug reference is built from 13 authoritative sources cited across 580 drug monographs.

Textbooks & handbooks — 5

Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
Withrow & MacEwen's Small Animal Clinical Oncology
Merck Veterinary Manual
NRC Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats
Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Riviere & Papich)

Clinical guidelines & consensus — 4

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Guidelines
AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines
ASPCA Poison Control Guidelines
RECOVER CPR Guidelines

Journals & peer-reviewed studies — 2

EPIC Study (J Vet Intern Med 2016)
JVIM FAT CAT Study

Regulatory & approvals — 1

CDSCO Veterinary Drug Approval Registry (1969–2026)

Databases — 1

Washington State University VCPL MDR1 Database