The UK ’s first and only seven-day analgesic patch for the management of severe osteoarthritis (OA) pain

A new, seven-day treatment, BuTrans^® (buprenorphine matrix patch 5, 10 and 20µg/hour) patches,¹ is launched today by Napp Pharmaceuticals Ltd. to help many of the estimated 8.5 million osteoarthritis (OA) patients across the UK ^2,3 who experience severe pain. BuTrans^® is the UK ’s first and only low dose buprenorphine patch that provides continuous pain relief¹ in a convenient and easy-to-use formulation. This means that if a patch is applied on a certain day of the week it may provide pain relief for a whole week and may not need to be changed until the same day the next week.

The low dose and duration of action means that BuTrans^® is a viable alternative to the high-frequency administration of oral analgesics and provides a new approach to the treatment of severe OA pain.

Withdrawals of a number of cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors (COX-2s), for example rofecoxib (Vioxx^®),⁴ and co-proxamol,⁵ as well as a review of the safety of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)⁶ have left many GPs with a medical dilemma when deciding how best to manage severe pain associated with OA. Paracetamol is the mainstay of pharmacological management of OA pain and compound analgesics or NSAIDs have traditionally been the next steps for pain management.^7,8,9

New research published by Arthritis Care supports this concern. Living with Arthritis – a spotlight on the continuing impact of chronic osteoarthritis pain reports fewer than two in five people with OA saying that they are happy with their current medication.¹⁰ Indeed, 30% of the respondents have been to see their GP as a result of recent news about OA pain medications and of these 42% had their medication changed as a result.¹⁰ Not surprisingly, two-thirds report relief from their pain is the most important factor sought in a medication.¹⁰ Despite some patients suffering from side effects, over a quarter would rather have greater relief from their pain and a few side effects, than to have to live with the pain of their OA.¹⁰ Nearly a fifth of respondents are unsatisfied with the frequency of taking their medication and a quarter of respondents would prefer to take their medication once a week.¹⁰

  With 80% of respondents waking up at night due to their pain, nearly half of the over 1000 patients surveyed report experiencing OA pain ‘all’ or ‘most’ of the time, inspite of taking their medication as per the prescription in 75% of cases.¹⁰

The severe pain caused by OA has a devastating effect on quality of life with nearly a third of respondents reporting limited mobility and over a quarter struggling to get out of bed in the morning and having difficulty with carrying out simple household tasks.¹⁰

Dr Garth Logan, President of the Primary Care Rheumatology Society, commented, “It is important that medical practitioners explore the severity of pain effectively with their patients and provide adequate pain relief at the appropriate time. Myths and preconceptions surrounding opioids have too often limited the use of these important drugs in primary care, but the option now of a seven-day, low dose opioid patch means that this can begin to be addressed.

BuTrans^® can be titrated from low dose to the optimal dose that provides adequate analgesia and therefore presents a good option for both patients and healthcare professionals.”

Heather Wallace from Pain Concern welcomed the new option: “Although a holistic approach to pain is essential, any advance in treatment that helps relieve pain is welcome."

  (30/9/05)