OTHER OPIOID ANALGESICS: BUPRENORPHINE
Buprenorphine is a semi-synthetic opioid which, under different circumstances, exhibits agonist or antagonist actions. Buprenorphine is indicated for the treatment of moderately severe pain. The sublingual preparation is useful for patients with dysphagia. The side effects of buprenorphine are qualitatively similar to morphine. Treatment of respiratory depression caused by buprenorphine requires larger doses of naloxone (two or three injections of 4 mg) due to the affinity of buprenorphine for opioid receptors. The interaction of buprenorphine with other opioid drugs is clinically important. If patients taking buprenorphine are given another opioid agonist, buprenorphine will prevent or delay the action of the second drug. Patients taking morphine, especially at higher doses, may develop symptoms of withdrawal if buprenorphine is started, due to competitive displacement of morphine from the opioid receptors.*54\55\2*
