Pharmacokinetics of a Transdermal Buprenorphine Topical Solution in the Cynomolgus Macaque (Macaca fascicularis).

Summary: Keeping monkeys comfortable and pain-free during research is very important. Vets often use strong pain medicines called opioids. Recently, a new pain medicine liquid that is rubbed onto the skin was approved for cats. Researchers wanted to see if it would work for monkeys, too. They tested the skin medicine against a standard medicine given by a needle in five male monkeys. The results were great! The skin medicine started working in just one hour and kept the monkeys pain-free for at least three days (72 hours). This means vets can give monkeys long-lasting pain relief without using as many needles.