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Indicators of Buprenorphine and Methadone Use and Abuse: What Do We Know?
Author(s) -
Maxwell Jane Carlisle,
McCanceKatz Elinore F.
Publication year - 2009
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 - 10.1111/j.1521-0391.2009.00008.x
Subject(s) - buprenorphine , methadone , medicine , medical prescription , substance abuse , pill , opioid , drug , psychiatry , methadone maintenance , intensive care medicine , pharmacology , receptor
Abuse of prescription opioids is a growing problem. The number of methadone pain pills distributed now exceeds liquid methadone used in opioid treatment, and the increases in buprenorphine indicators provide evidence of the need to monitor and intervene to decrease the abuse of this drug. The need for additional and improved data to track trends is discussed, along with findings as to the characteristics of the users and combinations of drugs. Data on toxicities related to methadone or buprenorphine, particularly in combination with other prescribed drugs, are presented and clinical implications and considerations are offered. These findings underscore the need for physicians to be aware of potential toxicities and to educate their patients regarding these issues . (Am J Addict 2009;19:73–88)