Which medication is a partial opioid agonist that binds to the mu-opioid receptor?

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that binds to the mu-opioid receptor, making it unique among opioid medications. As a partial agonist, it activates the mu-opioid receptor but to a lesser degree than full agonists like fentanyl. This characteristic provides analgesic effects while also reducing the risk of respiratory depression and addiction associated with full agonists. Buprenorphine is often used in the treatment of opioid use disorder because it can help manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms while limiting the potential for misuse.

When comparing it to other options, fentanyl is a full agonist that binds to the same receptor but has a much stronger effect, which increases the risk of overdose. Naloxone, on the other hand, is an opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids and is primarily used in emergency situations to reverse opioid overdose. Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, indicating its use within a treatment plan for addiction while mitigating the misuse potential of buprenorphine alone. However, the question specifically requires identifying the medication that is a partial opioid agonist binding to the mu-opioid receptor, which points clearly to buprenorphine.