Sublingual Buprenorphine versus Oral Dihydrocodeine in Post-Operative Pain

The effect of sublingual buprenorphine (0.4 mg) was compared with that of oral dihydrocodeine (60 mg) in patients experiencing post-operative pain following general surgery. Pain relief was significantly greater for buprenorphine than for dihydrocodeine, based on both peak effect and total effect. Both treatments were effective from 30 minutes. There was evidence that buprenorphine and a slightly slower onset of action, but a distinctly longer duration of action, than dihydrocodeine. Unwanted effects were similar for both treatments.