An 81-year-old man with advanced-stage prostate cancer comes to the physician because of a 1-week history of worsening lower back and hip pain. The patient's analgesic regimen includes oxycodone, ibuprofen, and alendronic acid. Physical examination shows localized tenderness over the lumbar spine and right hip .Imaging studies reveal a vertebral compression fracture with cord compression. Surgical decompression is planned. Which of the following drugs may precipitate opioid withdrawal symptoms if used in this patient?

Question

An 81-year-old man with advanced-stage prostate cancer comes to the physician because of a 1-week history of worsening lower back and hip pain. The patient's analgesic regimen includes oxycodone, ibuprofen, and alendronic acid. Physical examination shows localized tenderness over the lumbar spine and right hip .Imaging studies reveal a vertebral compression fracture with cord compression.  Surgical decompression is planned.  Which of the following drugs may precipitate opioid withdrawal symptoms if used in this patient?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Buprenorphine is a partial opioid receptor agonist that binds with high affinity but has low intrinsic activity.  In patients on long-term opioid therapy, buprenorphine can displace other opioids and precipitate withdrawal.

An 81-Year-Old Man with Advanced-Stage Prostate Cancer Comes to the Physician