A transdermal delivery system comprising buprenorphine for use in treating pain in a human patient for a dosing interval of at least 4 days, wherein said transdermal delivery system after applying the transdermal delivery system to the skin of a patient provides a release rate of buprenorphine over about a 72 hour dosing interval such that a maximum plasma concentration of from 20 pg/ml to 850 pg/ml is attained and the transdermal delivery device when maintained on the skin of the patient for at least an additional 24 hour interval provides plasma concentrations of buprenorphine in the patients above the minimum effective concentrations of the buprenorphine, such that the patients continue to experience effective pain management during this additional dosing interval.