{
  "abstract": "Before the introduction of transdermal and buccal buprenorphine, I relied on parenteral and sublingual preparations, typically initiating buprenorphine as a third-line opioid. For opioid-naïve patients, I started with 150 mcg every 6 hours subcutaneously or intravenously, with rescue doses every 3 hours. The long half-life of buprenorphine obviated the need for continuous infusion, freeing up intravenous access for other therapies—a practical advantage I came to appreciate in resource-limited settings. Dose adjustments were made every 48 hours based on pain control and rescue dose requirements. The safety profile of buprenorphine, particularly its ceiling effect on respiratory depression, allowed for more rapid titration compared to full agonist opioids. 1",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Mellar Davis"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Buprenorphine in palliative care",
  "uid": "6879aa52-9c84-51c2-8b3c-6b7013c37c85"
}