Two medicines, side by side
Buprenorphine vs fentanyl
Buprenorphine and fentanyl are both labeled for pain. Drugs@FDA records approvals of buprenorphine since 1981 and of fentanyl since 1968. Pharmacies paid $0.277 per tablet (Buprenorphine 2 mg tablet sl) and $1.79 per mL (Fentanyl 100 mcg/2 mL vial) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Buprenorphine's other strengths are brand-only: $7.54 per Belbuca 75 mcg film. In FDA's classes, buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist and fentanyl an opioid agonist.
Check it at the source: the buprenorphine FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 5, 2026); the fentanyl FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 6, 2026).
Highlights of the buprenorphine record
Buprenorphine (Belbuca) · label of June 5, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsBuprenorphine sublingual tablets are indicated for the treatment of opioid dependence and are preferred for induction. Buprenorphine sublingual tablets should be used as part of a complete treatment plan to include counseling and psychosocial support. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 29, 1981
- Generic labelers
- 27 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.277 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 12
Highlights of the fentanyl record
Fentanyl (Sublimaze) · label of March 6, 2026
SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF FENTANYL CITRATE INJECTION Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Because the use of Fentanyl Citrate Injection exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death, assess each patient’s risk prior to prescribing and reassess all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors and conditions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsFentanyl Citrate Injection is indicated for: analgesic action of short duration during the anesthetic periods, premedication, induction and maintenance, and in the immediate postoperative period (recovery room) as the need arises. use as a narcotic analgesic supplement in general or regional anesthesia. administration with a neuroleptic as an anesthetic premedication, for the induction of anesthesia and as an […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 19, 1968
- Generic labelers
- 6 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.79 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 111
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Buprenorphine label of June 5, 2026, Fentanyl label of March 6, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do buprenorphine and fentanyl differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist and fentanyl an opioid agonist.
How each works, in its label's words: Buprenorphine, “Buprenorphine sublingual tablets contain buprenorphine, a partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor and an antagonist at the kappa-opioid receptor.”; Fentanyl, “Fentanyl Citrate Injection is an opioid agonist, whose principal actions of therapeutic value are analgesia and sedation.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Buprenorphine, “When buprenorphine sublingual tablets are administered sublingually, buprenorphine has a mean elimination half-life …”; Fentanyl, “Elimination The terminal elimination half-life is 219 minutes.”
Only the fentanyl label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: buprenorphine since 1996; fentanyl since 1990 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: buprenorphine CIII; fentanyl CII.
| Buprenorphine | Fentanyl | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Opioid use disorder, Pain | Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | Partial Opioid Agonist | Opioid Agonist |
| How it works (label) | Buprenorphine sublingual tablets contain buprenorphine, a partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor and an antagonist at the kappa-opioid receptor. | Fentanyl Citrate Injection is an opioid agonist, whose principal actions of therapeutic value are analgesia and sedation. |
| Half-life (label) | When buprenorphine sublingual tablets are administered sublingually, buprenorphine has a mean elimination half-life from plasma ranging from 31 to 35 hours. | Elimination The terminal elimination half-life is 219 minutes. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 29, 1981 | February 19, 1968 |
| First generic approved | June 3, 1996 | April 30, 1990 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 27 labelers | 6 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.277 per tablet (Buprenorphine 2 mg tablet sl) | $1.79 per mL (Fentanyl 100 mcg/2 mL vial) |
| 12-month price change | -11% | +76% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 12 | 111 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 99,861 | 114,879 |
| DEA schedule | CIII | CII |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Fentanyl label, drug interactionsClinical Impact: May reduce the analgesic effect of Fentanyl Citrate Injection and/or precipitate withdrawal symptoms. Intervention: Avoid concomitant use. Butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine, buprenorphine.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Fentanyl label, warnings and precautionsProfound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death may result from the concomitant use of Fentanyl Citrate Injection with benzodiazepines and/or other CNS depressants, including alcohol (e.g., non-benzodiazepine sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids [gabapentin or pregabalin], and other opioids).
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to buprenorphine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions