The Journal of Pain publishes results from Butrans Transdermal System Phase 3 clinical study

Butrans® (Buprenorphine) Transdermal System CIII 20 mcg/hour provided significantly lower "average pain over the last 24 hours" scores compared to Butrans 5 mcg/hour when used in opioid-experienced patients with moderate-to-severe chronic low back pain, according to a pivotal Phase 3 clinical study published in the online, August issue of The Journal of Pain.

"The publication of this data provides important information to healthcare professionals about the role of Butrans for the management of moderate-to-severe chronic pain in patients requiring a continuous around-the-clock opioid analgesic for an extended period of time," said Deborah Steiner, MD, MS, medical director at Purdue Pharma L.P.

The Butrans Transdermal System, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2010, is indicated for the management of moderate-to-severe chronic pain in patients requiring an around-the-clock opioid analgesic for an extended period of time.  Butrans is the first transdermal system approved in the United States that delivers continuous release of the active ingredient, buprenorphine, for seven days.

Butrans is a Schedule III opioid prescription medication and can be abused in a manner similar to other opioid agonists, legal or illicit.  Working with the FDA, Purdue Pharma L.P. has developed a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for Butrans that includes a Medication Guide, Elements to Assure Safe Use, such as healthcare providers training, and a timetable for submitting assessments of the REMS.  

Butrans is contraindicated in patients who have significant respiratory depression, severe bronchial asthma, who have or are suspected of having paralytic ileus or known hypersensitivity to any of its components or the active ingredient, buprenorphine, as well as those who require opioid analgesia for a short period of time, for the management of post-operative pain, including use after out-patient or day surgeries, the management of mild pain, and the management of intermittent pain (e.g., use on an as needed basis).