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Safety and efficacy of buprenorphine for analgesia in laboratory mice and rats

Lab Animal volume 41, pages 337–343 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Buprenorphine is a long-acting opiate with a high therapeutic index. The authors review the pharmacology, toxicity, analgesic effects and delivery of buprenorphine for use in laboratory mice and rats. Buprenorphine-based analgesic therapy has a substantial record of safety, and there is growing evidence of its effectiveness for treating post-operative pain. Nonetheless, more research is needed to determine optimal delivery systems and analgesic regimens for pain therapy in laboratory animals.

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  1. Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

    Michael Guarnieri,  Cory Brayton,  Nadine Forbes-McBean,  Rachel Sarabia-Estrada &  Patricia Zadnik

  2. University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

    Louis DeTolla

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The authors declare competing financial interests. Funding to support this work was obtained from the biotechnology and economic development programs of Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) and Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) and from Bamvet Laboratories, Inc. P.Z. is a paid consultant for Bamvet and is supported by a Johns Hopkins Medical Research Fellowship. M.G. holds a significant financial interest in Bamvet.

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Guarnieri, M., Brayton, C., DeTolla, L. et al. Safety and efficacy of buprenorphine for analgesia in laboratory mice and rats. Lab Anim 41, 337–343 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/laban.152

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