Question:
Buprenorphine is which of the following?
Buprenorphine is which of the following?
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Think mixed agonist-antagonist with a ceiling on respiratory depression.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Partial agonist at mu receptor
- Partial agonist at kappa receptor
- Full agonist at mu receptor
- Antagonist at kappa receptor
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Identify the drug class. Buprenorphine is a semisynthetic opioid derived from thebaine, used for analgesia and for opioid-use-disorder maintenance.
Step 2: Recall its receptor profile. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist at the mu (µ) opioid receptor and an antagonist at the kappa (κ) receptor.
Step 3: Apply the consequences of partial mu agonism. Because it only partially activates mu receptors, it shows a ceiling effect for respiratory depression, which makes it relatively safer than full agonists like morphine.
Step 4: Note its high mu-receptor affinity. Its strong binding lets it displace and block full agonists, so it can precipitate withdrawal in a person dependent on full opioid agonists.
Step 5: Evaluate the options. Option A (partial agonist at mu) is correct; it is not a kappa agonist (B), not a full mu agonist (C), and although it antagonises kappa, the defining single best description is partial mu agonism (D is incomplete).
Answer: Option A, partial agonist at mu receptor.
Step 2: Recall its receptor profile. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist at the mu (µ) opioid receptor and an antagonist at the kappa (κ) receptor.
Step 3: Apply the consequences of partial mu agonism. Because it only partially activates mu receptors, it shows a ceiling effect for respiratory depression, which makes it relatively safer than full agonists like morphine.
Step 4: Note its high mu-receptor affinity. Its strong binding lets it displace and block full agonists, so it can precipitate withdrawal in a person dependent on full opioid agonists.
Step 5: Evaluate the options. Option A (partial agonist at mu) is correct; it is not a kappa agonist (B), not a full mu agonist (C), and although it antagonises kappa, the defining single best description is partial mu agonism (D is incomplete).
Answer: Option A, partial agonist at mu receptor.
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