Buprenorphine: a treatment and cause of opioid-induced respiratory depression.

Dahan, Albert; van Lemmen, Maarten; Jansen, Simone; Simons, Pieter; van der Schrier, Rutger · Br J Anaesth · 2022

editorial · Level V

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Abstract

Buprenorphine is a partial agonist at the mu opioid receptor. Due to its relatively low maximum effect on respiratory depression it is considered by some to be a safe opioid. But it can produce serious respiratory depression, particularly when combined with sedatives such as benzodiazepines.

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