What buprenorphine products are FDA approved specifically as an analgesic?
Butrans is a transdermal patch formulation, and Belbuca is a twice-daily buccal formulation. Butrans and Belbuca are FDA approved for the management of chronic “pain requiring around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment not adequately controlled by alternatives.” Buprenex is the IV or intramuscular (IM) formulation of buprenorphine approved for relief of moderate to severe pain. Of note, Buprenex is a viable perioperative option for patients managed with buprenorphine as outpatients chronically, since buprenorphine will block the effect of other opioids.
