Open AccessA novel approach in the detoxification of intravenous buprenorphine dependence
Author(s) -
Sukanto Sarkar,
Eswaran Subramaniam,
Janet Konthoujam
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
indian journal of psychiatry/indian journal of psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.485
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1998-3794
pISSN - 0019-5545
DOI - 10.4103/0019-5545.183793
Subject(s) - buprenorphine , detoxification (alternative medicine) , medicine , opioid , methadone , anesthesia , opiate , partial agonist , agonist , alternative medicine , receptor , pathology
Opioid dependence remains a significant problem in India, and of late intravenous (IV) buprenorphine use has increased in India, especially in combination with antihistamines and benzodiazepines. Its usage has many serious consequences in the form of needle-transmitted hepatitis and HIV, which is showing an increasing trend. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist at μ-opioid receptors. In tablet form (and rarely as IV), it is widely used in the treatment of opioid detoxification. We assessed the safety and efficacy of transdermal patch of buprenorphine with week long duration of action in the treatment of detoxification of IV buprenorphine dependence in view of its many advantages.