Human Pharmacology and Abuse Potential of the Analgesic Buprenorphine

1978/04/01 by Donald R. Jasinski · 25 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · #(+)-Naloxone #Addiction #Analgesic #Anesthesia #Blockade #Buprenorphine #Cholinesterase and Neurodegenerative Diseases #Drug #Internal medicine #Medicine #Morphine #Narcotic #Narcotic antagonists #Opioid #Pharmacological Receptor Mechanisms and Effects #Pharmacology #Physical dependence #Psychiatry #Receptor #Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling

paper · doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1978.01770280111012

openalex publication_date 1978/04/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30

Abstract

Buprenorphine was evaluated for its abuse potential and utility in treating narcotic addiction. The drug was morphine-like but was 25 to 50 times more potent than morphine and was longer-acting. Little if any physical dependence of clinical significance was produced by buprenorphine. The effects of morphine to 120-mg doses were blocked by buprenorphine, a blockade that persisted for 29 1/2 hours. In man, buprenorphine has less intrinsic activity than morphine, and as such, as a low abuse potential. Moreover, the drug has potential for treating narcotic addiction since it is acceptable to addicts, is long-acting, produces a low level of physical dependence such that patients may be easily detoxified, is less toxic than drugs used for maintenance therapy, and blocks the effects of narcotics.

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