Provided is a pharmaceutical composition including
buprenorphine, a derivative thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a stabilizer, a biocompatible
solvent, and at least one compound represented by Formula (IIA), (IIB) or (IIC), wherein R1 is
hydrogen, a C1-C20 alkylcarbonyl group, or a C6-C18 arylcarbonyl group, and wherein the compound of Formula (IIA), (IIB) and (IIC) each have an amount of less than 1% w / w based on the total weight of the pharmaceutical composition during a
shelf life of the pharmaceutical composition. Also provided is a method for preparing the pharmaceutical composition and a method for treating
opioid addiction, pain, and / or depression in a subject in need thereof by administering the pharmaceutical composition to the subject.