Low-dose Initiation of Buprenorphine/naloxone for the Management of Chronic Non-cancer Pain in Patients on Long-term Opioid Therapy: A Case Series.

Background: Buprenorphine may provide superior analgesia to full opioid agonist therapy and reverse the effects of opioid-induced hyperalgesia, while having a favorable safety profile and fewer adverse effects, in chronic non-cancer pain treatment. Low-dose initiation of buprenorphine is a useful strategy for patients on long-term opioid therapy because it avoids the need for moderate opioid withdrawal required for traditional buprenorphine initiations. However, there are few published reports of low-dose initiation regimens in the setting of chronic pain.

Lessons learned from the chronic pain clinic: a qualitative study of the perspectives of healthcare providers.

The chronic pain clinic (CPC) was established to address chronic non-cancer pain and opioid-related harm. Employing community participatory research design First Nation Metis representatives, clinicians and a researcher collectively agreed to document lessons learned from healthcare providers' perspective, 1 year post-clinic-implementation. 17 individual interviews were conducted.

Successful conversion from butorphanol nasal spray to buprenorphine/naloxone using a low-dose regimen to assist with opioid tapering in the setting of chronic pain and migraine management in an older adult patient: A case report.

Background: Butorphanol is marketed as a treatment for migraines; however, evidence suggests that the harms of its use exceed the benefits. The short half-life of butorphanol places patients at high risk for opioid dependence and makes tapering a challenge. Buprenorphine/naloxone has unique pharmacological properties that are beneficial in chronic pain treatment.

Patient perspectives from the multi-disciplinary chronic pain clinic: a qualitative study.

The chronic pain clinic (CPC) is a multi-disciplinary program that incorporates pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods, including First Nations healing strategies, to manage pain, improve functioning and reduce opioid misuse among patients with chronic pain in Regina, Canada. The care experiences of ten current clients were explored using a narrative interview approach. The CPC provides high-quality and safe care for effective chronic pain management.

Remifentanil versus fentanyl for intravenous patient-controlled labour analgesia: an observational study.

Purpose: We undertook a retrospective study to compare the analgesic efficacy and effects on neonatal outcome of administering either remifentanil or fentanyl intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IVPCA) during labour.

Methods: A five-year retrospective cohort study was undertaken of women with more than 24 weeks of gestation who had received either IVPCA remifentanil or fentanyl for labour analgesia at Mount Sinai Hospital. The sampling timeframe was from November 2005 to March 2010.