ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/buprenorphine
Buprenorphine
Simbadol, Buprenex
Drug Class
Routes
Indications
Mechanism of Action
Partial agonist at mu-opioid receptors with high receptor affinity. Provides analgesia with a ceiling effect on respiratory depression.
Side effects & warnings
OTM (oral transmucosal) absorption effective in cats. Ceiling effect limits maximum analgesia. Difficult to reverse with naloxone due to high receptor affinity.
Species with Buprenorphine dosing data (42 dose rules)
Controlled Substance
Controlled substance
Evidence levels across 42 dose rules
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
Backed by 8 published primary sources
- · Carpenter 6e
- · Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
- · ExoticRx 2026 (chinchilla dosing guide); Doss & Mans, Vet Clin Exot Anim 2017
- · ExoticRx 2026 (ferret dosing guide); Carpenter 6e
- · ExoticRx 2026 (hedgehog dosing guide); Carpenter 6e
- · ExoticRx 2026 (rat dosing guide); Carpenter 6e
- · ExoticRx 2026 (rat dosing guide); Foley PL et al, JAALAS 2011
- · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
Constant rate infusion (CRI)
Buprenorphine CRI dose rules from the ExoticRx formulary. Verify against current literature before clinical use; CRI rates differ from bolus dosing and route, dilution, and monitoring matter. Sign in for the complete per-species CRI protocol set.
| Species | Route | Rate | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 0.003–0.005 mg/kgper hour (CRI) | Intraoperative CRI analgesia | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 0.003–0.005 mg/kgper hour (CRI) | Intraoperative CRI analgesia | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
- Dog (Domestic)IV0.003–0.005 mg/kgper hour (CRI)
Intraoperative CRI analgesia
ModeratePlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed - Dog (Domestic)IV0.003–0.005 mg/kgper hour (CRI)
Intraoperative CRI analgesia
ModeratePlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
Sample dosing (2 of 42 cited rules)
Free-tier preview — dog and cat dosing. Pro and Student unlock all 11 species including reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 0.003–0.005 mg/kg | per hour (CRI) | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 0.003–0.005 mg/kg | per hour (CRI) | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
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More Analgesic drugs
Source citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.