Don't Be Surprised to See Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain

You'll see growing interest in buprenorphine (Belbuca, Butrans, etc) for chronic pain...partly to reduce opioid risks.

Buprenorphine is a partial agonist at mu-opioid receptors...and an ANTagonist at other opioid receptors.

That's why it seems to hit a ceiling that limits respiratory depression...may cause less euphoria compared to full opioid agonists (morphine, etc)...and may have less potential for misuse.