Buprenorphine in the Treatment of Chronic Pain.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-2020

Publication Title

Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics of North America

Abstract

The burden of chronic pain in the United States is staggering. Concurrently, the problems associated with use of opioids for treatment of chronic pain have been prominently scrutinized in recent years. Buprenorphine is an opioid that is available for treatment of both chronic pain and opioid use disorder. Its use for chronic pain has been hampered by various factors including complex and often misunderstood pharmacology, challenges to transition and induction to buprenorphine from other opioids, provider perceptions around the legality of prescribing sublingual buprenorphine for pain, and insurance coverage limitations. This article reviews the pharmacology and clinical effectiveness of buprenorphine in the context of chronic pain treatment.

Department

Rehabilitation

Department

Pharmacy

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