Investigating the use of low-dose buccal buprenorphine for pain relief after surgery
Official title: Low-dose buccal buprenorphine: Relative abuse potential and postoperative analgesic acceptability
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11031346 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether a low-dose form of buprenorphine, taken in the mouth, can safely and effectively help manage pain after surgery instead of using traditional opioids like oxycodone, and it’s for people who are recovering from surgery and want to explore different pain relief options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $175,681 |
| NIH project number | 5K23DA057387-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11031346 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing surgical procedures who require postoperative pain management.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing surgery or those who have contraindications to buprenorphine may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the effectiveness and safety of using low-dose buccal buprenorphine as an alternative to traditional opioids for managing pain after surgery. It aims to assess both the potential for abuse and the acceptability of this medication in providing pain relief. The study will involve controlled experiments to evaluate how well buccal buprenorphine works compared to oxycodone, a commonly prescribed opioid. Additionally, it will examine the feasibility of conducting a larger clinical trial to further investigate its use in postoperative care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer pain management options for patients after surgery, reducing the risk of opioid misuse.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using alternative medications like buprenorphine for pain management, but this specific approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Larach, Daniel — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Larach, Daniel
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.