Buprenorphine, sold under the brand name Subutex, among others, is an opioid used to treat opioid addiction, acute pain, and chronic pain. Not only ,the longer-term treatment of addiction, a combination formulation of buprenorphine/naloxone is recommended in some countries. Maximum pain relief is generally within an hour with effects up to 24 hours.

Buprenorphine belongs to a class of drugs called mixed opioid agonist-antagonists. It helps prevent withdrawal symptoms caused by stopping other opioids.