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Transferring Methadone‐Stabilized Pregnant Patients to Buprenorphine Using an Immediate Release Morphine Transition: An Open‐Label Exploratory Study
Author(s) -
Jones Hendrée E.,
Suess Patricia,
Jasinski Donald R.,
Johnson Rolley E.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1080/10550490500419094
Subject(s) - buprenorphine , methadone , medicine , anesthesia , morphine , opioid use disorder , opioid , pregnancy , receptor , biology , genetics
A transition from methadone to buprenorphine without intervening withdrawal symptoms is critical for advancing the treatment of opioid‐dependent patients. Four pregnant inpatients were transferred from methadone (65–85 mg) to five days of immediate release morphine (IRM) and then to buprenorphine (12–28 mg). Withdrawal scores decreased during the five days of IRM and subsequently increased over the first three days on buprenorphine. The transitional use of IRM appears safe for both mother and fetus. Withdrawal symptoms appeared during buprenorphine induction; however, these data suggest that the intensity of withdrawal symptoms may be lessened by the dose and frequency of buprenorphine administration.