An open study of sub-lingual buprenorphine in the treatment of chronic pain in the elderly

Fifty-one patients aged over 65 years with chronic pain entered an open study to assess the efficacy and tolerance of low-dose (0.1 mg) sub-lingual buprenorphine administered 3 to 4-times a day over a 14-day period. There was significant improvement in symptoms during the treatment period and the drug was well tolerated, with good compliance. Patients aged over 80 years responded comparatively better than those aged between 65 and 80 years. The incidence of unwanted effects was low and constipation was only reported by 1 patient.