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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
08:25
Contact Hypersensitivity as a Murine Model of Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Published on: September 26, 2022
Allergic contact dermatitis from transdermal buprenorphine.
Kim Vander Hulst1, Elisabeth Parera Amer, Claude Jacobs
1Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, K.U. Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Contact Dermatitis
|December 17, 2008
Summary
Transdermal buprenorphine (TDB) can cause allergic contact dermatitis in some patients. Patch testing confirmed delayed hypersensitivity reactions, suggesting this side effect may be under-reported.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pharmacology
- Allergology
Background:
- Buprenorphine, a lipophilic opioid analgesic, is delivered via transdermal systems (TDS).
- Transdermal delivery systems (TDS) have potential for skin irritation.
- Previous reports documented contact allergy to buprenorphine.
Observation:
- Five older patients with chronic pain developed persistent, pruritic plaques at TDB contact sites.
- Two patients also experienced generalized skin eruptions.
- These symptoms indicated potential allergic contact dermatitis.
Findings:
- All five patients showed positive reactions to TDB patch testing.
- A placebo TDS elicited no reaction in four patients.
- One patient reacted to other buprenorphine preparations, confirming buprenorphine allergy.
- Healthy controls showed no reaction to TDB.
Implications:
- Delayed hypersensitivity reactions to buprenorphine TDS are confirmed.
- Adverse skin reactions to buprenorphine TDS may be under-reported.
- Fentanyl TDS is a viable alternative for patients with buprenorphine allergy.
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