Abstract

Abstract- Post-operative pain management consists of a cocktail of drugs ranging from Nsaids, Opioids and Nonopioids. Transdermal Buprenorphine patch is commonly used in pain management of post-operative cases, musculoskeletal pain, cancerous and non-tumorous conditions. Buprenorphine is safely used because of its partial intrinsic activity and slow dissociation on Mu (?) receptor causing prolonged analgesic effect with a ceiling for respiratory depression. Buprenorphine is commonly used in elderly patients and in patients with chronic renal failure. We report a probable case of buprenorphine patch induced respiratory depression and sedation leading to respiratory acidosis. Respiratory acidosis was managed symptomatically with oxygen therapy and removal of transdermal buprenorphine patch lead to the reversal of clinical condition. Awareness of this possible side effect of buprenorphine patch and unwarranted use should be avoided.