Mu-opioid partial agonist
Mu-opioid receptor partial agonist
- Analgesia with a ceiling on respiratory depression
- Displaces full agonists → can precipitate withdrawal if given too soon
- Moderate analgesia
- Ceiling on respiratory depression
Drugs with this mechanism (9)
- 7-OH-mitragynine — Kratom's potent mu-opioid metabolite; carries most of the opioid effect and most of the dependence risk.
- Buprenorphine buccal film — Buccal buprenorphine film for continuous chronic pain; not an addiction-treatment product.
- Buprenorphine SC (weekly/monthly) — Extended-release injectable buprenorphine for opioid use disorder; flexible depot intervals.
- Buprenorphine — Partial mu agonist with a ceiling effect; a mainstay of opioid use disorder.
- Butorphanol — Mixed opioid agonist-antagonist; intranasal analgesia can precipitate opioid withdrawal.
- Buprenorphine patch — Transdermal buprenorphine for continuous chronic pain; not for acute or as-needed use.
- Mitragynine — The main alkaloid of kratom; a mu-opioid partial agonist.
- Pentazocine — Mixed opioid agonist-antagonist; can precipitate withdrawal.
- Buprenorphine ER injection — Long-acting buprenorphine abdominal depot for moderate-to-severe opioid use disorder.
All mechanisms · Open Mu-opioid partial agonist in the interactive console ↗