Transdermal buprenorphine for central neuropathic pain: clinical reports.

Transdermal buprenorphine is an effective analgesic for a variety of pain conditions. Traditionally, neuropathic pain is treated with medications such as tricyclic antidepressants or anticonvulsants, with opioid medications as second or third-line agents. We present two different painful conditions of presumed neuropathic origin, with complex etiopathogenesis, which were successfully treated with buprenorphine. The results of treatment of these neuropathic pain syndromes with buprenorphine are encouraging, suggesting that it might represent a valid alternative to standard approaches for central neuropathic pain.