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Controlled, randomized trial in maintenance treatment of intravenous buprenorphine dependence with naltrexone, methadone or buprenorphine: a novel study
Author(s) -
Ahmadi J.,
Ahmadi K.,
Ohaeri J.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2362.2003.01218.x
Subject(s) - buprenorphine , naltrexone , methadone , medicine , anesthesia , randomized controlled trial , opioid , randomization , surgery , receptor
Abstract Aims To test the effect of a 50‐mg day −1 dose of naltrexone in the maintenance treatment of intravenous‐buprenorphine dependence in comparison with a 50‐mg day −1 dose of methadone and also a 5‐mg day −1 dose of buprenorphine over a 24‐week treatment period. Participants Two hundred and four intravenous‐buprenorphine‐dependent patients who met the DSM‐IV criteria for opioid dependence were randomized to three equal groups and were treated in a clinic in Iran where they were also offered a weekly 0·5‐h counselling session, in 2002. Findings The mean age was 31·2 years (range 17–53). The majority [63·2%] was between 20 and 34 years of age. The educational level of most of them [55·4%] was between 6 and 12 years of study. Completion rates by groups were 83·8% for the 50‐mg dose methadone group, 58·8% for the 5‐mg dose buprenorphine group and 20·6% for the 50‐mg dose naltrexone group ( P = 0·000). Retention in the 50‐mg methadone group was significantly better than in the 5‐mg dose buprenorphine group ( P = 0·001) and the 50‐mg dose naltrexone group ( P = 0·000). Retention in the 5‐mg buprenorphine group was significantly better than in the 50‐mg naltrexone dose group ( P = 0·000). Conclusions Evaluation of the Iranian experience on this subject may be useful for other countries.