Safe storage of buprenorphine
This content is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information contained herein should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health condition, and those seeking medical advice or guidance should consult with a licensed and qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have learned here or elsewhere.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. No physician-patient or provider-patient relationship is created by this website or its use. Boulder Care makes no representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided herein or to its use.
Your buprenorphine is an important part of your care, and it's meant for you alone. Storing it safely protects children and other people in your home, and it protects your treatment too. Boulder isn't able to replace medication that's lost, stolen, or damaged.
If a child or someone else takes your medication
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right away.
Signs that a child has taken buprenorphine include:
- Drowsiness
- Vomiting
- Slow breathing
- Agitation
- Not responding to you
If you have Narcan (naloxone), give it to the child right away. If they still have symptoms after 5 minutes, give a second dose. Still call 911, since the child will need more medical care.
If you can, take the medication out of the child's mouth as soon as possible. If they won't open their mouth, gently squeeze their cheeks inward to get it out. If you can still see medication in their mouth, wipe it out, rinse, and have them spit. Bring the rest of the medication to the emergency department or give it to the ambulance team when they arrive.
How to store it safely
- Keep it out of sight and out of reach of children, including older children, and away from anyone who might want to take some of your prescription.
- Lock it up. A medicine cabinet is often the first place people look, so use a lockbox, locking bag, or locked cabinet instead. Many pharmacies sell lockboxes.
- Don't leave it in the bathroom, your car, or any shared or public space.
- Keep it in its original child-resistant container with the label. Don't move your tablets or films into a pill organizer or another container.
- Don't set tablets or films down on counters, sinks, toilets, dressers, nightstands, or anywhere else people could get to them.
Things you can do now
- Get a lockbox or another way to lock up your medication.
- Move your medication out of the medicine cabinet if that's where you keep it.
- Make sure it's somewhere children and other people can't find it.