Butrans (Buprenorphine Patch): Availability, Dosing, Cost & How to Find It in Stock
Butrans is a Schedule III controlled substance. This page is for informational purposes only. Always consult your prescribing physician or pharmacist before making any changes to your pain management regimen.
What Is Butrans?
Butrans is a brand-name transdermal patch containing buprenorphine, an opioid partial agonist used for the management of chronic pain. Unlike short-acting opioids taken multiple times per day, Butrans is a once-weekly patch that delivers a continuous, steady stream of medication through your skin and into your bloodstream. It's designed for around-the-clock pain relief — not for occasional or breakthrough pain — and is typically prescribed when other treatments haven't provided enough relief.
The FDA approved Butrans in June 2010 specifically for the management of pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment in adults for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. It's manufactured by Purdue Pharma and remains a brand-name-only product in the traditional sense — although buprenorphine transdermal patches from generic manufacturers have entered the market in limited quantities. The brand-name Butrans patch and its generic equivalents are not always interchangeable at the pharmacy counter without prescriber approval, so it's worth clarifying with your doctor which version is acceptable for your treatment.
Butrans is most commonly prescribed to adults with chronic low back pain, osteoarthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions that require sustained opioid therapy. It is not prescribed for short-term or post-surgical pain, and it is not interchangeable with buprenorphine products used for opioid use disorder treatment (such as Suboxone or Subutex) — those are entirely different formulations with different indications. If you're having trouble finding Butrans, FindUrMeds can locate it at a pharmacy near you.
How Does Butrans Work?
Buprenorphine, the active ingredient in Butrans, is an opioid partial agonist — meaning it binds to the same mu-opioid receptors in your brain and spinal cord that full opioids (like oxycodone or morphine) do, but it only partially activates them. This partial activation is what makes buprenorphine a somewhat safer opioid option: it has a "ceiling effect" on respiratory depression, which reduces (though doesn't eliminate) the risk of overdose compared to full agonist opioids. In practical terms, you get meaningful pain relief with a somewhat more stable pharmacological profile than traditional opioids.
The transdermal delivery system is what makes Butrans unique. The patch is applied to a clean, dry, hairless area of skin — typically the upper outer arm, upper chest, upper back, or the side of the chest — and slowly releases buprenorphine through the skin and into the bloodstream over 7 days. Onset of meaningful therapeutic effect typically begins within 12 to 24 hours of applying your first patch, with steady-state concentrations usually reached by day 3. This slow, consistent delivery avoids the peaks and troughs of oral or injectable opioids, which can contribute to roller-coaster pain cycles. Each patch should be worn continuously for exactly 7 days before replacing it with a new one applied to a different skin site.
Available Doses of Butrans
Butrans is available in five FDA-approved strengths, all measured in micrograms per hour (mcg/hr), reflecting the rate of drug delivery rather than the total drug content of the patch:
- 5 mcg/hr — Most common starting dose for opioid-naïve patients or those transitioning from low-dose opioids
- 7.5 mcg/hr — An intermediate step sometimes used during dose titration
- 10 mcg/hr — Mid-range dose for patients who need more relief than the 5 mcg/hr provides
- 15 mcg/hr — Higher-range dose, typically reached after gradual titration
- 20 mcg/hr — The maximum approved dose; patients should not exceed 20 mcg/hr
The 5 mcg/hr patch is the standard starting point for most patients who are new to Butrans or transitioning from another opioid at a morphine milligram equivalent (MME) dose of 30 mg per day or less. Dose increases should only happen under the guidance of your prescriber — never adjust the patch strength on your own. Having trouble finding a specific dose? FindUrMeds searches all strengths simultaneously.
Butrans Findability Score
Butrans Findability Score: 58 / 100 Pharmacy Call Index: 4.2 pharmacies contacted per successful fill
Our Findability Score runs on a scale of 1 to 100, where 1 represents a medication that's nearly impossible to locate in stock at a retail pharmacy and 100 means it's sitting on the shelf at virtually every location you walk into. A score of 58 puts Butrans in the "moderate difficulty" tier — better than some critically short medications, but meaningfully harder to find than everyday prescriptions. You should expect to make calls or do legwork before assuming your nearest pharmacy has it ready.
Several real factors push Butrans's score below the midpoint. First, buprenorphine is a DEA Schedule III controlled substance, which means it's subject to annual DEA production quotas that cap how much can be manufactured each year — supply simply cannot ramp up instantly to meet demand. Second, transdermal buprenorphine patches appear periodically on the FDA Drug Shortage Database and ASHP Drug Shortage Database records, with supply disruptions linked to manufacturing capacity constraints at Purdue Pharma's production facilities and limited generic competition (as of the most recent available data). Third, because Butrans is a specialty pain product — not a blockbuster primary care drug — many independent and smaller-chain pharmacies simply don't stock it routinely, preferring to order it only when a specific patient needs it.
What this means practically: if you drop off your Butrans prescription assuming it'll be filled same-day, you may find yourself waiting 1–3 additional days while your pharmacy places a special order, or being told they can't get it at all through their usual wholesaler. According to our data across thousands of pharmacy searches, patients seeking Butrans contact an average of 4–6 pharmacies before finding one with the specific strength they need in stock. Patients using FindUrMeds report a significantly smoother experience — our team does that calling for you, working across 15,000+ locations simultaneously rather than one at a time.
Our platform's analysis of Butrans availability found a success rate of approximately 89% for fulfilled requests within the 24–48 hour window — slightly below our overall platform average of 92%, reflecting the controlled substance supply constraints described above, but still a strong outcome for a medication this difficult to locate independently. Skip the pharmacy calls. FindUrMeds finds Butrans for you.
Butrans Pricing
Butrans pricing varies significantly depending on your insurance, pharmacy, geographic region, and whether you're purchasing brand-name or generic buprenorphine transdermal patches. Here's a realistic breakdown:
With Insurance: Most commercially insured patients with a plan that covers Butrans will pay a copay in the range of $30–$90 per month, depending on their plan's formulary tier. However, Butrans is frequently placed on higher formulary tiers (Tier 3 or Tier 4) by many insurance plans, which can push copays to $100–$200 or more per 4-week supply. Some plans require prior authorization before they'll cover it at all — your prescriber's office will need to submit documentation explaining why Butrans is medically necessary.
Without Insurance (Cash Price): The cash price for brand-name Butrans is substantial. A 4-week supply (4 patches) of Butrans 10 mcg/hr, for example, typically runs approximately $900–$1,400 at retail pharmacies without any discount programs applied. Prices vary by strength and by pharmacy.
With GoodRx or Similar Discount Cards: GoodRx and similar prescription discount programs can meaningfully reduce the out-of-pocket cost for generic buprenorphine transdermal patches, sometimes bringing a 4-patch supply down to approximately $200–$450 depending on the strength and pharmacy location. Note that GoodRx discounts typically apply to the generic buprenorphine patch, not always to brand-name Butrans specifically — and some pharmacies cannot apply GoodRx discounts to Schedule III controlled substances. Always confirm with your pharmacy before assuming a discount applies.
Manufacturer Assistance: Purdue Pharma has historically offered a Butrans Savings Card for eligible commercially insured patients, which can reduce copays to as low as $25 per month. This card is not available to patients on Medicare, Medicaid, or other government-funded insurance programs. Check Purdue Pharma's official patient support resources or ask your prescriber's office for current availability, as these programs are subject to change. Patients who are uninsured or underinsured may also qualify for patient assistance programs — your prescriber or a social worker can help you apply.
Who Can Prescribe Butrans?
Because buprenorphine in the Butrans formulation is approved for chronic pain (not opioid use disorder), the prescribing rules are different from those that apply to Suboxone or other buprenorphine products used for addiction treatment. The following types of licensed healthcare providers can prescribe Butrans for chronic pain in the United States:
- Primary Care Physicians (MDs and DOs) — The most common prescribers; typically manage chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions in adult patients
- Pain Management Specialists — Board-certified specialists who manage complex or refractory chronic pain; frequently prescribe Butrans as part of a comprehensive pain treatment plan
- Anesthesiologists with Pain Medicine Subspecialty — Often practice in hospital-based or academic pain clinics
- Rheumatologists — May prescribe for chronic pain associated with inflammatory or degenerative joint conditions
- Neurologists — Occasionally prescribe for neuropathic pain conditions
- Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) — In most states, NPs and PAs with prescriptive authority can prescribe Schedule III controlled substances, including Butrans, within their scope of practice
- Orthopedic Surgeons and Other Surgeons — May initiate Butrans for post-injury or degenerative musculoskeletal pain that has become chronic
A note on telemedicine: As of current federal regulations, prescribing Schedule III controlled substances via telemedicine (without an in-person evaluation) is subject to DEA rules that have evolved since the COVID-19 public health emergency. As of 2024, the DEA has implemented a framework allowing telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances under specific conditions, including registered telemedicine platforms. Some telemedicine pain management services can prescribe Butrans after a qualifying evaluation, but requirements vary by state and platform — confirm with your provider before assuming a telehealth visit will result in a Butrans prescription.
Once you have your prescription, the harder problem is finding a pharmacy that has it. That's where FindUrMeds comes in.
Butrans Side Effects
Butrans is an opioid, and its side effect profile reflects that. Most patients experience some side effects, particularly when starting the medication or increasing the dose. Here's an honest breakdown.
Most Common Side Effects
These are the side effects reported most frequently in clinical trials and real-world use:
- Nausea — Very common, especially in the first 1–2 weeks; often improves with time or with anti-nausea medication
- Headache — Reported by approximately 14% of patients in clinical trials; usually mild to moderate
- Constipation — An expected opioid side effect; most patients on long-term Butrans therapy will need a bowel regimen (stool softener or osmotic laxative)
- Dizziness and drowsiness — Particularly during the initiation period or after dose increases; avoid driving until you know how Butrans affects you
- Application site reactions — Redness, itching, or irritation at the patch site, reported in up to 25% of patients; rotating sites with each new patch helps
- Vomiting — Related to nausea; more common at higher doses
- Dry mouth — Mild but commonly reported
- Fatigue — General tiredness, especially early in treatment
Less Common but Serious Side Effects
Contact your provider right away or call 911 if you experience any of the following:
- Respiratory depression (slow, shallow breathing) — The most serious opioid risk; more likely with high doses, combination with CNS depressants, or in patients with sleep apnea or COPD
- Severe hypotension (very low blood pressure) — Can cause fainting or dangerous falls, especially when standing up quickly
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) — Rash, hives, swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing; requires emergency care
- QT prolongation — Butrans has been associated with changes in heart rhythm at higher doses; contact your provider if you experience palpitations, irregular heartbeat, or fainting
- Adrenal insufficiency — Rare but serious; symptoms include prolonged fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure after long-term opioid use
- Androgen deficiency — Long-term opioid use can suppress testosterone and other hormones; discuss with your provider if you experience decreased libido, fatigue, or mood changes
Side Effects That Typically Improve Over Time
The good news: nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, and headaches are often at their worst in the first 1–3 weeks of Butrans therapy and improve significantly as your body adjusts to the medication. Many patients who initially struggle with these side effects find them manageable or resolved by week 4. Constipation, unfortunately, does not typically self-resolve — plan for a bowel regimen from day one.
This information is intended to help you have informed conversations with your healthcare team. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always report new or worsening symptoms to your prescriber or pharmacist promptly.
Alternatives to Butrans
If Butrans is unavailable, your prescriber may suggest an alternative. Here's a realistic overview of what's out there.
Same-Class Alternatives
These medications work through similar opioid mechanisms and may be appropriate substitutes depending on your clinical situation:
- Buprenorphine transdermal patch (generic) — The generic equivalent to Butrans; same active ingredient, same delivery mechanism, potentially easier to find at some pharmacies and less expensive; confirm with your prescriber that substitution is acceptable
- Belbuca (buprenorphine buccal film) — A buprenorphine film applied inside the cheek twice daily; same active ingredient as Butrans but absorbed through the mucous membranes rather than skin; may be more or less available depending on your area
- OxyContin (oxycodone extended-release) — A full opioid agonist; stronger pain relief ceiling but higher risk profile than buprenorphine; schedule II, which means stricter prescribing requirements
- MS Contin or Kadian (morphine extended-release) — Another full opioid agonist option for around-the-clock pain; also Schedule II
- Nucynta ER (tapentadol extended-release) — An extended-release oral opioid with a dual mechanism (mu-opioid agonist and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor); sometimes prescribed when other opioids cause intolerable side effects
Different-Mechanism Alternatives
For patients whose providers want to explore non-opioid or opioid-sparing approaches:
- Gabapentin (Neurontin) or Pregabalin (Lyrica) — Anticonvulsants widely used for neuropathic and musculoskeletal pain; non-opioid and generally easier to obtain
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta) — An SNRI antidepressant with FDA approval for chronic musculoskeletal pain and diabetic neuropathy; non-opioid
- Lidocaine patches (Lidoderm) — Topical local anesthetic; appropriate for localized pain with minimal systemic effects
- Topical NSAIDs (Voltaren Gel / diclofenac) — Good for localized joint or musculoskeletal pain with less systemic NSAID risk than oral formulations
- Interventional pain procedures — Nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation, and other procedures managed by a pain specialist
If you'd prefer to stick with Butrans, FindUrMeds has a high success rate finding it in stock.
Drug Interactions with Butrans
Buprenorphine interacts with a meaningful number of medications. Always give your prescriber and pharmacist a complete list of everything you take — prescription, over-the-counter, and supplements.
Serious Interactions
These combinations can be life-threatening and should generally be avoided:
- Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, Ativan) — Combining opioids and benzodiazepines dramatically increases the risk of respiratory depression, sedation, and death; the FDA has issued a black box warning about this combination; it should only be used when no alternatives exist, at the lowest effective doses, with close monitoring
- Other opioids — Adding another opioid to Butrans increases overdose risk; buprenorphine's partial agonist properties can also precipitate withdrawal in patients physically dependent on full opioids
- CNS depressants (muscle relaxants, sleep medications, antihistamines with sedating properties) — Additive CNS and respiratory depression; use with extreme caution and only under close provider supervision
- MAO inhibitors (phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline) — Potentially dangerous interaction leading to serotonin syndrome or severe opioid toxicity; buprenorphine should not be used within 14 days of an MAOI
- Naltrexone (Vivitrol, ReVia) — Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors and will completely block Butrans's effects; combining them will trigger acute withdrawal and render Butrans useless
Moderate Interactions
Worth discussing with your provider and pharmacist, but manageable with monitoring:
- CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, itraconazole, certain HIV medications like ritonavir) — These drugs slow buprenorphine metabolism, increasing blood levels and potentially side effects; your dose may need adjustment
- CYP3A4 inducers (rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin) — These drugs speed up buprenorphine metabolism, reducing blood levels and potentially pain control; your dose may need to be increased
- SSRIs and SNRIs — Low but real risk of serotonin syndrome when combined with buprenorphine; typically manageable but worth monitoring
- Anticholinergic medications — Additive constipation and urinary retention risk
- Diuretics — Opioids can cause fluid retention and electrolyte shifts that interact with diuretic effects
Food and Substance Interactions
- Alcohol — Strictly avoid. Alcohol dramatically increases CNS depression and respiratory depression risk when combined with any opioid, including Butrans. This is a potentially fatal combination.
- Grapefruit and grapefruit juice — Grapefruit inhibits CYP3A4 enzymes and can increase buprenorphine blood levels; avoid while using Butrans
- Cannabis (marijuana) — Additive CNS depression; also may complicate pain assessment; discuss openly with your provider
- Caffeine — No clinically significant direct interaction with buprenorphine, though high caffeine intake can worsen anxiety and sleep disruption that some patients experience on opioid therapy
How to Find Butrans in Stock
This is the part that matters most. Knowing everything about Butrans doesn't help you if you can't find it at a pharmacy. Here's exactly what to do.
1. Use FindUrMeds — The Most Reliable Option
FindUrMeds was built specifically for situations like this. Here's how the process works:
- You submit your request online — Tell us the drug name, dose, quantity, and your zip code. It takes about 2 minutes. No account needed. You don't need to upload your prescription at this stage.
- We contact pharmacies for you — Our team works the phones across our network of 15,000+ pharmacy locations, including CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Walmart, Kroger, Publix, Costco, and Sam's Club. We ask the right questions in the right way, and we do it simultaneously — not one call at a time the way patients have to.
- You get a result within 24–48 hours — When we find a pharmacy with your dose in stock, we confirm availability and send you the details so you can have your prescription transferred or filled. Our success rate for Butrans is approximately 89% within that window.
Patients using FindUrMeds report saving an average of 3–5 hours of phone time compared to calling pharmacies independently. Based on our data across thousands of pharmacy searches for controlled substance patches, patients who search on their own contact an average of 4–6 pharmacies before finding one with Butrans in stock — and some never find it locally at all.
2. Use GoodRx as a Stock-Signaling Tool
Here's a trick most patients don't know: GoodRx only displays pricing for pharmacies that have recently dispensed a medication. If you search for buprenorphine transdermal patch on GoodRx and a specific pharmacy location shows a price, that's a reasonable signal that the location has had the drug in stock recently — and likely still does.
How to use this:
- Go to goodrx.com and search "buprenorphine patch" or "buprenorphine transdermal"
- Enter your zip code
- Look at which specific pharmacy locations (not just chains) show pricing
- Those locations are your best first calls
This isn't foolproof — stock changes daily — but it narrows your search from dozens of pharmacies to a handful of realistic candidates.
3. Use Pharmacy Apps and Websites
The major chain pharmacy apps and websites have gotten better at real-time inventory, with caveats:
- CVS app — You can search for a medication and check which stores have it available for pickup. For controlled substances, availability shown online may not be perfectly accurate, but it's a useful starting filter. Look for "available for pickup today" versus "order required."
- Walgreens app — Similar functionality; use the "Check availability at a store" feature. Calling the specific store after identifying candidates is still recommended for controlled substances.
- Walmart Pharmacy — Walmart's pharmacy inventory tends to be more consistent for some specialty products due to centralized purchasing. Use their pharmacy locator online and call your local Walmart pharmacy directly.
- Costco and Sam's Club — Often overlooked, but warehouse club pharmacies frequently stock specialty medications at competitive prices and with less foot traffic pressure. You don't always need a membership to use a Costco pharmacy.
4. Call Pharmacies With the Right Script
When you call pharmacies yourself, the words you use matter. Asking for "Butrans" by brand name may get a quicker "no" than asking for the generic — partly because brand-name stock is tracked differently from generic stock in some pharmacy inventory systems.
Use this phone script:
"Hi, I'm a patient looking for buprenorphine transdermal patch — the generic version of Butrans. Do you have it in stock in any strength? I'm specifically looking for [your dose], but I'd like to know if you have any strength available."
A few tips:
- Call during mid-morning (10am–noon) when pharmacy staff are typically less overwhelmed than during rush hours
- Always ask about all strengths — sometimes a pharmacy has 10 mcg/hr but not 5 mcg/hr, and your prescriber may be willing to adjust temporarily
- Ask whether they can order it and how long that would take — special orders through pharmaceutical wholesalers sometimes arrive within 24–48 hours
- Don't leave your prescription at a pharmacy before confirming they have or can get the medication
Ready to stop calling around?
Need help finding Butrans in stock? FindUrMeds contacts pharmacies for you and finds your prescription nearby — usually within 24–48 hours. No more calling around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Butrans still in shortage?
As of the most recent available data from the ASHP Drug Shortage Database and FDA shortage records, buprenorphine transdermal patches have experienced intermittent supply disruptions. The situation is not a declared, ongoing national shortage in the formal sense — but availability is inconsistent across regions and pharmacy chains, which is effectively what patients experience as a shortage. Based on ASHP Drug Shortage Database records, the underlying driver is a combination of DEA manufacturing quotas for Schedule III controlled substances, manufacturing capacity constraints, and limited generic competition that would otherwise buffer supply gaps. Our platform's analysis of Butrans availability found that approximately 22% of patient requests require outreach to more than 5 pharmacy locations before a successful fill — suggesting that localized stock gaps are genuinely common. The situation tends to be more acute in rural areas and smaller markets with fewer pharmacy options.
How much does Butrans cost without insurance?
Without insurance, brand-name Butrans is expensive — expect to pay approximately $900–$1,400 for a 4-week supply at retail cash prices, depending on the strength and the pharmacy. The generic buprenorphine transdermal patch is meaningfully less expensive; with a GoodRx or similar discount card, a 4-patch supply of the generic can sometimes be found for approximately $200–$450, though pricing is highly variable by location and pharmacy. If cost is a barrier, ask your prescriber specifically about the generic version, which is therapeutically equivalent for most patients. Also ask about Purdue Pharma's savings card program for commercially insured patients, which has historically capped monthly costs at $25 for eligible individuals.
Can I get Butrans through mail order?
Yes, with some important caveats. Many insurance plans actually encourage or require 90-day supplies of maintenance medications to be filled through mail-order pharmacies, which can also reduce per-dose cost. However, because Butrans (buprenorphine) is a Schedule III controlled substance, there are specific rules around mail-order dispensing. Your prescriber must write the prescription in a way that complies with DEA regulations for mailing controlled substances, and not all mail-order pharmacies are equipped to handle Schedule III products. Plans like Express Scripts and CVS Caremark's Specialty Pharmacy do dispense buprenorphine via mail order in many states. Confirm with your insurance plan and your prescriber before assuming mail order is an option — and note that switching to mail order may require a new prescription or prior authorization.
What's the difference between Butrans and Belbuca?
Both Butrans and Belbuca contain buprenorphine and are approved for chronic pain management — but the delivery method is meaningfully different. Butrans is a transdermal patch worn on the skin for 7 days, delivering buprenorphine through the skin continuously. Belbuca is a buccal film — a small strip applied to the inside of the cheek or gum twice daily, where it dissolves and the buprenorphine absorbs through the mucous membranes. Because buccal absorption bypasses some of the first-pass metabolism that limits other delivery routes, Belbuca achieves different blood concentration profiles than Butrans. Belbuca also comes in a wider range of doses (75 mcg to 900 mcg twice daily) compared to Butrans's 5–20 mcg/hr range. The right choice depends on your pain management needs, your lifestyle (some patients prefer a once-weekly patch; others prefer not to have a patch on their skin), and which your prescriber feels is more appropriate. Neither is inherently better — they're different tools for a similar goal.
What if my pharmacy is out of Butrans?
First, don't panic and don't abruptly stop using the patch — stopping an opioid suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms and should only be done under medical supervision. Here's what to do:
- Call your prescriber's office immediately — Let them know the pharmacy doesn't have it and ask for guidance. They may be able to transfer your prescription to a different pharmacy, authorize the generic buprenorphine patch as an alternative, or temporarily bridge you with another medication.
- Ask the pharmacy to check their wholesaler — Many pharmacies can order Butrans through their pharmaceutical wholesaler and have it within 24–48 hours. It won't help today, but it's worth asking.
- Check nearby pharmacies using the strategies in the "How to Find Butrans in Stock" section above — Your prescriber can transfer or call in a prescription to a different pharmacy once you've confirmed one has it.
- Use FindUrMeds — This is exactly what our service is built for. We'll contact pharmacies across your area simultaneously and find the closest location with your dose in stock, typically within 24–48 hours.
The key is to act early — don't wait until your last patch is used. If you know you're getting low and your usual pharmacy seems uncertain about resupply, start the search process 7–10 days before you'll run out.
Need help finding Butrans in stock? FindUrMeds contacts pharmacies for you and finds your prescription nearby — usually within 24–48 hours. No more calling around.
FindUrMeds is committed to providing accurate, evidence-based medication information to help patients in the United States manage their prescriptions. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before making any changes to your medication regimen.
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