Buprenorphine Sublingual and Pemetrexed

• Generic Name: buprenorphine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Probuphine, Belbuca, Buprenex, Butrans, Sublocade, Subutex

Buprenorphine buccal film is used to relieve pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and when other pain medicines did not work well enough or cannot be tolerated. Buprenorphine is not used for minor pain or pain that only sometimes occurs. It should not be used to treat pain that you only have once in a while or "as needed". Buprenorphine acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain.

Buprenorphine sublingual tablet is used to treat opioid (narcotic) dependence or addiction. When a narcotic medicine is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects if the narcotic is stopped suddenly. Severe withdrawal side effects can usually be prevented when a person is switched to buprenorphine. It acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to help prevent withdrawal side effects.

When buprenorphine buccal film is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. However, people who have continuing pain should not let the fear of dependence keep them from using narcotics to relieve their pain. Mental dependence (addiction) is not likely to occur when narcotics are used for this purpose. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects if treatment is stopped suddenly. However, severe withdrawal side effects can usually be prevented by gradually reducing the dose over a period of time before treatment is stopped completely.

Subutex® is available only with your doctor's prescription. Belbuca® is available only under a restricted distribution program called the Opioid Analgesic REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) program.

• Generic Name: pemetrexed
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Alimta

Pemetrexed is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Pemetrexed is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer, or malignant pleural mesothelioma (a form of lung cancer associated with exposure to asbestos).

Pemetrexed is sometimes used in combination with other cancer medicines.

Pemetrexed may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.