Investigating the use of low-dose buccal buprenorphine for pain relief after surgery

Low-dose buccal buprenorphine: Relative abuse potential and postoperative analgesic acceptability

NIH-funded research Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11031346

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 typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Nashville, United States)
Project IDNIH-11031346 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing surgical procedures who require postoperative pain management.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing surgery or those who have contraindications to buprenorphine may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Nashville, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.