Double-blind evaluation of buprenorphine hydrochloride for post-operative pain

In a double-blind, random assignment study of four groups of 40 patients, relief of severe pain with buprenorphine hydrochloride 0.2 mg or 0.4 mg was evaluated and compared with morphine sulphate 5 or 10 mg. Evaluations included pain intensity, pain relief, sedation and other effects for up to 12 hours after drug administration, following recovery of wakefulness from anaesthesia for major abdominal surgery. Analyses of five parameters showed that the four groups were statistically comparable and that buprenorphine hydrochloride is at least 50 times more potent than morphine sulphate and has a substantially longer duration of analgesic action. Further clinical evaluation is, therefore, recommended.