title: The Use of Transdermal Buprenorphine in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Report of Two Cases.
abstract: Management of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) can be challenging. Various pharmacological approaches have produced mixed results. Buprenorphine activates mu-opioid receptors and antagonizes kappa and delta receptors, acts at N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, and is an orphan-related ligand-1 receptor agonist. It is available in transdermal patches that last for up to 7 days. This report describes two patients with refractory CRPS who were treated with transdermal buprenorphine. The patients experienced approximately 50% reduction in pain intensity scores. Application site rash that occurred was managed with topical steroid spray used before applying the patch.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Onofrio
authors.forename: Christine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Vartan
authors.forename: Mitchell
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nazario
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: DiScala
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cuevas-Trisan
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Melendez-Benabe
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D020918:Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D057968:Transdermal Patch; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D002047:Buprenorphine
keywords: Butrans; buprenorphine; buprenorphine transdermal system; causalgia; complex regional pain syndrome; regional sympathetic dystrophy