Patients on transdermal buprenorphine can experience end-of-dose failure, leading to inadequate analgesia and increased reliance on rescue medications. This case series aims to evaluate the efficacy of reducing the dosing interval of buprenorphine transdermal patches from seven days to five days in patients experiencing a wearing-off effect. Three cases of male patients with chronic pain were analyzed. Each patient transitioned to buprenorphine therapy due to inadequate analgesia with their current opioid regimen. Adjustments in dosing intervals were made based on reported end-of-dose failure. Patients reported improved pain control and functionality after switching to a five-day dosing interval. Therefore, shortening the dosing interval of buprenorphine transdermal patches to five days may enhance analgesic efficacy and patient safety by minimizing end-of-dose failure and reducing the need for rescue medications.
Curtis et al. (Sat,) studied this question.