Print  |  Font Size Change Font Size
Search naabt.org  

The National Alliance of Advocates
for Buprenorphine Treatment

Buprenorphine (Suboxone®, Subutex®3, Zubsolv®4, Bunavail™5, Probuphine®6) is an opioid medication used to treat opioid addiction in the privacy of a physician's office.1 Buprenorphine can be dispensed for take-home use, by prescription.1 This, in addition to the pharmacological and safety profile of buprenorphine, makes it an attractive treatment for patients addicted to opioids.2

What is Bunavail®?


Discontinued in 2020- BioDelivery Sciences developed BUNAVAIL® (Buprenorphine/Naloxone buccal film) for the treatment of opioid addiction. Previously referred to as BEMA® bup/nx, Bunavail uses BDSI's proprietary BioErodible MucoAdhesive (BEMA) delivery technology, also called a buccal film, which adheres to the inside of the cheek. Bunavail has double the bioavailability of Suboxone Film (and generics) and as a result only half the buprenorphine is required per dose. The lower dose may reduce side effects, such as constipation. Bunavail was FDA approved June 6th 2014 and reached pharmacies in November 2014. Bunavail also has less naloxone than competitors with a (6-7):1 ratio compared with the 4:1 (4 parts buprenorphine to 1 part naloxone) found in other offerings.

Bunavail offers a  discount plan see NAABT's cost savings page for up-to-date info on cost savings.

Suboxone (or generic equivalent) to Bunavail conversion tool



Back to FAQs

The Purpose of Buprenorphine Treatment:

To suppress the debilitating symptoms of cravings and withdrawal, enabling the patient to engage in therapy, counseling and support, so they can implement positive long-term changes in their lives which develops into the new healthy patterns of behavior necessary to achieve sustained addiction remission. - explain -

The National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment is a non-profit organization charged with the mission to:

  1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA Talk Paper, T0238, October 8, 2002, Subutex and Suboxone approved to treat opiate dependence.
  2. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Clinical Guidelines for the Use of Buprenorphine in the Treatment of Opioid Addiction. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series 40. DHHS Publication No. (SMA) 04-3939. Rockville, Md: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2004.
  3. Subutex Discontinued in the US market in late 2011.
  4. Zubsolv (bup/nx sublingual tablet) FDA approved 7/3/2013 see buprenorphine pipeline graphic -in pharmacies now.
  5. Bunavail (bup/nx bucal film) FDA approved 6/6/2014 see buprenorphine pipeline graphic -in pharmacies now.
  6. Probuphine FDA approved 5/26/2016 - FDA Probuphine press release