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Buprenorphine‐Based Regimens and Methadone for the Medical Management of Opioid Dependence: Selecting the Appropriate Drug for Treatment
Author(s) -
Maremmani Icro,
Gerra Gilberto
Publication year - 2010
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.1521-0391.2010.00086.x
Subject(s) - buprenorphine , methadone , medicine , dosing , (+) naloxone , opioid , methadone maintenance , opioid use disorder , anesthesia , pharmacology , receptor
Maintenance therapy with methadone or buprenorphine‐based regimens reduces opioid dependence and associated harms. The perception that methadone is more effective than buprenorphine for maintenance treatment has been based on low buprenorphine doses and excessively slow induction regimens used in early buprenorphine trials. Subsequent studies show that the efficacy of buprenorphine sublingual tablet (Subutex®) or buprenorphine/naloxone sublingual tablet (Suboxone®) is equivalent to that of methadone when sufficient buprenorphine doses, rapid induction, and flexible dosing are used. Although methadone remains an essential maintenance therapy option, buprenorphine‐based regimens increase access to care and provide safer, more appropriate treatment than methadone for some patients. (Am J Addict 2010;00:1–12)