Health Economics & Outcomes Research Department, ZRx Outcomes Research Inc., Mississauga, ON L5A 2X7, Canada.
Published: January 2024
AI Article Synopsis
Article Abstract
Retrospective insurance claims analysis exploring treatment characteristics in chronic low back pain patients prescribed buprenorphine buccal film (Belbuca) or transdermal patches. The first buprenorphine prescription (buccal film or transdermal patch) was an index event. Patients were observed over 6 month pre- and post-index periods. Propensity score matching minimized the selection bias. Buccal film patients had a higher buprenorphine daily dose (501.7 vs 270.9 µg; p < 0.001). The patch-to-film switching rate was higher than vice versa (11.5 vs 3.8%; p < 0.001). The buccal film showed a greater reduction in opioid prescriptions (-1.1 vs -0.7; p = 0.012), daily morphine milligram equivalents (-12.6 vs -7.3; p < 0.001) and opioid treatment duration (-13.4 vs -7.6 days; p = 0.022). Buccal film was associated with higher buprenorphine doses and a greater reduction of opioid burden.
Buccal delivery offers a promising alternative to e.g., oral or parenteral drug administrations by leveraging the mucosal membranes of the mouth to enhance drug absorption and enhance patient compliance.
Optometry and Vision Science Research Groups (OVSRG), School of Optometry, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK. Electronic address:
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