Patent ID: 6231886
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: A61K,A61P

Abstract:
A method of treating human patients suffering from opioid addiction by applying a transdermal delivery system containing buprenorphine onto the skin of the patient and maintaining the transdermal delivery system in contact with the skin for a 3 day dosing interval, the transdermal delivery system containing an amount of buprenorphine sufficient to maintain an adequate relative release rate to provide a plasma concentration of from about 1000 pg/ml to about 10,000 pg/ml at the end of said 3 day dosing interval, and maintaining the transdermal delivery system in contact with the patient's skin for at least 2 to about 5 additional days beyond said 3:day dosing interval, such that the patient continues to receive effective treatment for opioid addiction from said transdermal buprenorphine delivery system over said dosing interval.