Successful Initiation of Buprenorphine for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain in an Opioid-Experienced Patient: A Case Report

Buprenorphine can be an effective and safe option for patients with chronic pain. We describe a case in which a patient on long-term full opioid agonists for chronic non-cancer pain was safely transitioned from methadone to buprenorphine in the outpatient setting using a low dose buprenorphine initiation protocol. One month after the opioid rotation, the patient reported adequate analgesic effect from the buprenorphine regimen. Further studies are warranted to better guide prescribing of buprenorphine for chronic nonmalignant pain.