ABSTRACT
Generally, the more efficacious the drug is at producing its pharmacological effect, the greater the addiction potential and value as an illicit drug. Drugs with lower efficacy are called partial agonists. Buprenorphine (BPN) is a partial agonist for opioid receptors. The pharmacological profile of partial agonists is such that they are useful in substitution therapy because they provide some reinforcement of the opiate effect but should also reduce illicit heroin use.
