Safety and efficacy of long-term use of a buprenorphine transdermal patch system in patients with osteoarthritis and low back pain refractory to non-opioid analgesics: Post-marketing surveillance of 3000 cases.

Objectives: A post-marketing surveillance was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the buprenorphine transdermal patch under actual clinical practice.

Results: Of the 3017 patients included in the safety analysis, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were observed in 1524 (50.5%), the most common being nausea, skin symptoms at the site of application, constipation, and vomiting. The incidences of respiratory depression and withdrawal symptoms were low, and no drug dependence was observed. Among the 2573 patients included in the efficacy analysis, the efficacy (≥2-point improvement in the numerical rating scale) rate was 74.4%, which was significantly higher in older adults (≥65 y.o) than in younger adults. Discontinuation was mostly caused by ADRs during the early initiation phase.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated the safety and efficacy of long-term administration of buprenorphine transdermal patches, suggesting that pain control is possible over the long term if attention is paid to ADRs in the early stages of administration.