---
title: Transitioning to Buprenorphine for Pain Clinical Resource Guide
description: Guide on how to transition from full opioid agonists to buprenorphine for pain in the hospice setting
image: https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/a%20patient%20in%20a%20hospital%20bed%20in%20pain%20in%20mild%20distress.jpeg
---

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# Pharmacist Corner

BetterRX resources help nurses, directors, admins, and owners   
Improve processes and deliver better patient comfort

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- [Patient Guide (16)](https://www.betterrx.com/en-us/pharmacist_corner/tag/patient-guide)
- [Deprescribing Guide (5)](https://www.betterrx.com/en-us/pharmacist_corner/tag/deprescribing-guide)

# Transitioning to Buprenorphine for Pain Clinical Resource Guide

Posted by [Jeremy Hooker, PharmD](https://www.betterrx.com/en-us/pharmacist_corner/author/jeremy-hooker-pharmd) on Jun 19, 2024 9:42:31 PM

![Jeremy Hooker, PharmD](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/b%20logo.png)

[Transitioning to Buprenorphine for Pain](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Clinical%20Resource%20Guide-%20Transitionining%20to%20Buprenorphine%20for%20Pain.pdf)

Refractory pain not responsive traditional opioids and pain management strategies can be difficult to manage. Escalating doses or a transition to subcutaneous or intravenous route of administration can result in variable responses and may require changes in routine or even patient care setting, adding burden to the patient and considerable additional therapy cost to care. The burgeoning awareness of the pain-relieving benefits of buprenorphine resulting from the 2022 updated CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain have led some clinicians to consider the drug in the hospice setting for patients experiencing uncontrolled pain....[Read More](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Clinical%20Resource%20Guide-%20Transitionining%20to%20Buprenorphine%20for%20Pain.pdf)

 Topics: [Clinical](https://www.betterrx.com/en-us/pharmacist_corner/tag/clinical)

- [Clinical (71)](https://www.betterrx.com/en-us/pharmacist_corner/tag/clinical)
- [Patient Guide (16)](https://www.betterrx.com/en-us/pharmacist_corner/tag/patient-guide)
- [Deprescribing Guide (5)](https://www.betterrx.com/en-us/pharmacist_corner/tag/deprescribing-guide)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/ePrescribe-2.png)

Clinical

[ Pain Management Quick Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pain_Management_Pharmacy_Corner_BetterRX.pdf)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Elder%20man%20has%20not%20enough%20money%20for%20drugs.jpeg)

Patient Guide

[ Opioid Therapy in the Hospice Setting ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20Opioid%20Therapy-1.pdf)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Conceptual%20image%20of%20green%20tree%20in%20hands%20shaped%20like%20human%20lungs.jpeg)

Clinical

[ Nebulized Opioid Clinical Resource Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/en-us/pharmacist_corner/Subcutaneous%20Fluid%20Clinical%20Resource%20Guide)

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Clinical

[ Alternatives to Oxycontin and Xtampza ](https://www.betterrx.com/en-us/pharmacist_corner/Alternatives%20to%20oxycontin%20or%20xtampza%20for%20pain%20in%20hospice)

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Clinical

[ SGLT2 Inhibitor Clinical Resource Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/en-us/pharmacist_corner/SLGT2%20Inhibitors%20Resource%20Guide)

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Patient Guide

[ Opioid Therapy Patient Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20Opioid%20Therapy-2.pdf)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Sugar%20cubes%20and%20dice%20piled%20up%20together%20against%20white%20background.jpeg)

Clinical

[ Diabetes Management in Hospice ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Diabetes_Management_In_Hospice.pdf)

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Patient Guide

[ Methadone-Patient Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20Methadone-2.pdf)

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Clinical

[ The Basics of Hospice Coverage ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/The%20basics%20.pdf)

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Clinical, Deprescribing Guide

[ Diabetes Medication Deprescribing Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Deprescribing%20Guide-%20Diabetes%20Medications-2.pdf)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/N+V%20PC.png)

Clinical

[ Treating Nausea + Vomiting ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Treating%20Nausea%20+%20Vomiting.pdf)

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Clinical

[ Unnecessary Medications ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Unnecessary%20Medications.pdf)

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Clinical

[ Subcutaneous Fluid Clinical Resource Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/en-us/pharmacist_corner/Subcutaneous%20Fluid%20Clinical%20Resource%20Guide)

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Clinical

[ Formulary Tips in Hospice ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Pharmacist-Corner-Formulary-Tips-In-Hospice%20(2).pdf)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Old%20man%20sleeping%20on%20the%20bed.jpeg)

Patient Guide

[ Hospice Symptom Management Expectations For Patients ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20Hospice%20Expectations-2.pdf)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Frustrated-Pharmacist.png)

Clinical

[ Opioid Calculation Clinical Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Clinical%20Resource%20Guide-%20Opioid%20Calculations-2.pdf)

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Clinical

[ Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy Clinical Resource Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20Pancreatic-enzyme-replacement-therapy)

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Clinical

[ Parkinson's Disease Overview Resource Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20Parkinsons-disease-Overview)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Conceptual%20image%20of%20green%20tree%20shaped%20like%20human%20lungs.jpeg)

Clinical

[ Inhaled Corticosteroids in Hospice ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Inhaled%20Corticosteroids%20in%20Hospice%20(PC).pdf)

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Patient Guide

[ Delirium Patient Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20Depression-2.pdf)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Junior%20pharmacist%20taking%20medicine%20from%20shelf%20at%20the%20hospital%20pharmacy.jpeg)

Patient Guide

[ Thyroid Medication Patient Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/en-us/pharmacist_corner/Discover%20considerations%20for%20stopping%20Thyroid%20medication%20in%20hospice%20in%20this%20patient%20resource%20guide.)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/patient%20win%20indigestion.jpeg)

Clinical

[ PPI Deprescribing Guide ](Deprescribing%20Guide:%20Proton%20Pump%20Inhibitors.%20Learn%20about%20proton%20pump%20inhibitors%20(PPIs)%20and%20how%20they%20are%20commonly%20used%20to%20treat%20gastroesophageal%20reflux%20disease%20(GERD)%20symptoms.)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Frustrated%20man%20with%20hands%20on%20face.jpeg)

Clinical

[ Anxiety Patient Resource Guides ](https://www.betterrx.com/en-us/pharmacist_corner/anxiety,%20patient%20anxiety,%20anxiety%20in%20hospice,%20nonpharmacologic%20anxiety%20management)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Elderly%20man%20suffering%20with%20belly%20pain%20in%20the%20bedroom.jpeg)

Clinical

[ Constipation Patient Resource Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/en-us/pharmacist_corner/constipation,%20patient%20constipation,%20constipation%20in%20hospice,%20nonpharmacologic%20constipation%20management)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/inhaler.jpg)

Clinical

[ Inhaled Medications Clinical Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Inhaled%20Medications%20and%20Hospice%20(PC).pdf)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Picture%20of%20smiling%20nurse%20assisting%20senior%20man.jpeg)

Clinical

[ Parkinson's Disease Medication Management Clinical Resource Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20Parkinsons-disease)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pills-01.jpg)

Clinical

[ Fentanyl Patch Clinical Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Clinical%20Resource%20Guide-%20Transdermal%20Fentanyl-2.pdf)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Do%20Not%20%20PC.png)

Clinical

[ We Do Not Allow Antipsychotics in This Facility ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/We%20Do%20Not%20Allow%20Antipsychotics%20in%20This%20Facility.pdf)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/close%20up%20of%20%20a%20white%20tube%20on%20white%20background.jpeg)

Clinical

[ Using Topical Gels and Creams ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Using%20Topical%20Gels%20and%20Creams%20(PC).pdf)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/sick%20middle%20aged%20woman%20with%20heart%20attack%2c%20pain%2c%20health%20problem%20holding%20touching%20her%20chest%20colored%20in%20red%20with%20hands%20isolated%20on%20gray%20wall%20background.%20Human%20face%20expression.jpeg)

Clinical

[ Seizure Management Clinical Resource Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20Seizure-disorder-Overview)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Row%20of%20aspirin%20peaked%20like%20daily%20graph%20of%20stock%20market.jpeg)

Clinical

[ Splitting and Crushing Tablets Warning ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Splitting%20and%20Crushing%20Warning%20(PC).pdf)

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Clinical

[ Terminal Secretions ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Terminal%20Secretions.pdf)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pills-01.jpg)

Clinical

[ Non-Opioid Therapy Clinical Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Clinical%20Resource%20Guide-%20Nonopioid%20Analgesics-2.pdf)

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Clinical

[ Better Tasting Medication Tricks ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Tricks%20to%20make%20medication%20taste%20better.pdf)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Methadone%20PC.png)

Clinical

[ Methadone in Hospice ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Methadone.pdf)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Young%20depresses%20stressed%20business%20woman%20at%20office.jpeg)

Clinical

[ Hyperalgesia Clinical Resource Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20hyperalgesia)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Blood%20Pressure%20PC.png)

Clinical

[ Anticoagulant & Antiplatelet Clinical Guidance ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Clinical%20Resource%20Guide-%20Anticoagulant-Antiplatelet%20criteria%20for%20use-2.pdf)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Aged%20man%20in%20hospital%20bed%20visited%20by%20son.jpeg)

Clinical

[ Palliative Sedation Clinical Resource Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20Palliative%20Sedation)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Closeup%20portrait%20of%20sick%2c%20ill%20young%20man%2c%20student%2c%20worker%20with%20allergy%2c%20germs%20cold%2c%20blowing%20his%20nose%20with%20kleenex%2c%20looking%20miserable%2c%20unwell%2c%20very%20sick%20isolated%20on%20white%20background.%20Flu%20season%2c%20vaccine.jpeg)

Clinical

[ Cough Management Clinical Resource Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20cough-manaagement)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Closeup%20of%20womans%20hand%20writing%20on%20paper.jpeg)

Clinical

[ Eprescribing Signature Requirements ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Eprescribing%20Signature%20Requirements%20(PC).pdf)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pain%20Relief%20direction%20sign%20on%20sky%20background.jpeg)

Clinical

[ Methadone Clinical Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20Methadone-1.pdf)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pretty%20young%20woman%20hugging%20her%20sick%20friend.jpeg)

Clinical

[ Nausea/Vomiting Clinical Resource Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20Methadone-1.pdf)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Elder%20man%20has%20not%20enough%20money%20for%20drugs-1.jpeg)

Clinical

[ Delirium Clinical Resource Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20Methadone-1.pdf)

![](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Woman%20lying%20on%20sofa%20looking%20sick%20in%20the%20living%20room.jpeg)

Clinical

[ Constipation Clinical Resource Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20Methadone-1.pdf)

![anxiety](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Desperate%20senior%20man%20suffering%20and%20covering%20face%20with%20hands%20in%20deep%20depression%2c%20pain%2c%20emotional%20disorder%2c%20grief%20and%20desperation%20concept.jpeg)

Clinical

[ Anxiety Management Clinical Resource Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20Methadone-1.pdf)

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Clinical

[ Insomnia Clinical Resource Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20Methadone-1.pdf)

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Clinical

[ Depression Management Clinical Resource Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20Methadone-1.pdf)

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[ Sundowning Clinical Resource Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20Methadone-1.pdf)

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Clinical

[ Pseudobulbar Affect Clinical Resource Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20Methadone-1.pdf)

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Clinical

[ Ketamine Clinical Resource Guide ](https://www.betterrx.com/hubfs/Pharmacist%20Corner/Patient%20Resource%20Guide-%20Methadone-1.pdf)

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