Dosage regimens of buprenorphine to treat withdrawal or abstinence syndrome in a drug dependent or opioid tolerant patient who is pregnant are described. The method includes treating withdrawal or abstinence syndrome of the patient by transdermal administration of an amount of buprenorphine effective to reduce withdrawal symptoms. For example, a first buprenorphine-containing transdermal dosage form can be administered for a first dosing period that is no more than about 5 days a second buprenorphine-containing transdermal dosage form for a second dosing period that is no more than about 5 days, the second dosage form comprising the same or a greater dosage of buprenorphine than the first dosage form and a third buprenorphine-containing transdermal dosage form for a third dosing period that is at least 2 days, the third dosage form comprising the same or a greater dosage of buprenorphine than the second dosage form.
