Best Partial Opioid Agonist for pain
Top-rated pick: Buprenorphine Hydrochloride — pharmaranks score 72/100, the highest of the 4 Partial Opioid Agonist drugs used for pain, ranked by our independent FDA recall-safety score. Compare them with all treatments for pain or the full Partial Opioid Agonist class. Not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 4 partial opioid agonist drugs we rate for pain, all are available as lower-cost generics, and most are injectable. Our ranking reflects each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for pain; the right choice depends on your situation, so confirm it with your prescriber.
Other drug classes for pain
Top partial opioid agonist for pain: 1. Buprenorphine Hydrochloride · 2. Belbuca · 3. Brixadi
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $684 | View → | |
| 2 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Film | Generic | $684 | View → | |
| 3 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $684 | View → | |
| 4 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Solution | Generic | $684 | View → |
Full ranking · 4 drugs
buprenorphine hydrochloride
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Buprenorphine Hydrochloride is a partial opioid agonist used to treat Heroin Dependence, Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$8.15/30· 7 formsbelbuca
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Belbuca (Buprenorphine Hydrochloride) is a partial opioid agonist used to treat Heroin Dependence, Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$8.15/30· 7 formsbrixadi
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Brixadi (Buprenorphine) is a partial opioid agonist used to treat Heroin Dependence, Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$8.15/30· 7 formssublocade
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Sublocade (Buprenorphine) is a partial opioid agonist used to treat Heroin Dependence, Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$8.15/30· 7 formsFrequently asked
- What is the best partial opioid agonist for pain?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — buprenorphine hydrochloride ranks highest among Partial Opioid Agonist drugs used for pain. Always consult a professional.
- Which partial opioid agonist drugs treat pain?
- pharmaranks lists 4 Partial Opioid Agonist products used for pain, per NIH RxClass drug-classification data — each independently rated and ranked above.
- How are these ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.