Successful conversion from butorphanol nasal spray to buprenorphine/naloxone using a low-dose regimen to assist with opioid tapering in the setting of chronic pain and migraine management in an older adult patient: A case report

BACKGROUND: Butorphanol is marketed as a treatment for migraines; however, evidence suggests that the harms of its use exceed the benefits. The short half-life of butorphanol places patients at high risk for opioid dependence and makes tapering a challenge. Buprenorphine/naloxone has unique pharmacological properties that are beneficial in chronic pain treatment. At this time there is limited published data on the use of micro-dosing initiation regimens in patients with chronic pain, especially in older adult patients. AIMS: This article presents the case of an older adult patient for whom a buprenorphine/naloxone micro-dosing regimen was successfully utilized to aid discontinuation of butorphanol nasal spray, assist with opioid tapering, and manage chronic pain. METHODS: This case took place in an outpatient setting while the patient was receiving care from an interprofessional chronic pain service. The electronic medical record was reviewed to obtain a summary of the case data. Informed patient consent was obtained. RESULTS: We present a case of an older adult patient who had been using butorphanol nasal spray for migraine and general pain management for over 20 years. The risks of ongoing use of butorphanol (i.e., inter-dose-related pain, opioid dependence, possible opioid-induced hyperalgesia, and fall risk) no longer exceeded any perceived benefit. The patient was successfully transitioned onto sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone using a micro-dosing regimen. CONCLUSIONS: This case provides an example of the potential benefit buprenorphine/naloxone can have for patients with chronic pain and previous opioid exposure, especially older adults at risk of central adverse effects of opioids.