• Avoid touching or moving the buccal film with your tongue or fingers.
• Avoid drinking or eating food until after the buccal film has dissolved.
• If you miss a dose of BUNAVAIL, take your medicine when you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time unless your doctor tells you to. If you are not sure about your dosing, call your doctor.
• Do not stop taking BUNAVAIL suddenly. You could become sick and have withdrawal symptoms because your body has become used to the medicine. Physical dependence is not the same as drug addiction. Your doctor can tell you more about the differences between physical dependence and drug addiction. To have fewer withdrawal symptoms, ask your doctor how to stop using BUNAVAIL the right way.
• If you take too much BUNAVAIL or overdose, call Poison Control or get emergency medical help right away.

What should I avoid while taking BUNAVAIL?

• Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or perform any other dangerous activities until you know how this medication affects you. Buprenorphine can cause drowsiness and slow reaction times. This may happen more often in the first few weeks of treatment when your dose is being changed, but can also happen if you drink alcohol or take other sedative drugs when you take BUNAVAIL.
• You should not drink alcohol while using BUNAVAIL, as this can lead to loss of consciousness or even death.

What are possible side effects of BUNAVAIL?

BUNAVAIL can cause serious side effects including:

• See “What is the most important information I should know about BUNAVAIL?”
• Respiratory problems. You have a higher risk of death and coma if you take BUNAVAIL with other medicines, such as benzodiazepines.
• Sleepiness, dizziness, and problems with coordination
• Dependency or abuse
• Liver problems. Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these signs of liver problems: Your skin or the white part of your eyes turning yellow (jaundice), urine turning dark, stools turning light in color, you have less of an appetite, or you have stomach (abdominal) pain or nausea. Your doctor should do tests before you start taking and while you take BUNAVAIL.
• Allergic Reaction. You may have a rash, hives, swelling of your face, wheezing, or loss of blood pressure and consciousness. Call a doctor or get emergency help right away.
• Opioid Withdrawal. This can include: shaking, sweating more than normal, feeling hot or cold more than normal, runny nose, watery eyes, goose bumps, diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle aches. Tell your doctor if you develop any of these symptoms.
• Decrease in blood pressure. You may feel dizzy if you get up too fast from sitting or lying down.

Common side effects of BUNAVAIL include: