Buprenorphine dosing regime in the management of out-patient heroin withdrawal

Date

2002

Authors

Lintzeris, Nicholas

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Carfax Publishing, Taylor & Francis Group

Abstract

This study aimed to establish a buprenorphine regime suitable for the short-term management of out-patient heroin withdrawal using an open-label, single-group case series. Eighteen dependent injecting heroin users underwent an 8-day withdrawal episode with supervised dosing of sublingual Subutexr tablets. Buprenorphine doses were titrated daily over a 5-day period. Fifteen subjects (83%) completed the 5-day regime, and 14 (78%) completed the 8-day withdrawal episode. The mean doses ((SD) were 6.1 (1.2) mg on day 1; 9.6 (1.7) mg on day 2; 10.1 (1.9) mg on day 3; 8.9 (2.0) mg on day 4; 4.1 (1.5) mg on day 5; and a total regime dose of 38. 9 (5. 8) mg. Withdrawal severity was mild, with minimal rebound upon the cessation of dosing. Five subjects reported no heroin use, and five subjects reported using on only one occasion during the 8 days. An out-patient buprenorphine regime is recommended.

Description

Keywords

Keywords: buprenorphine; adult; ambulatory care; article; drug administration; female; heroin dependence; hospitalization; human; male; methodology; patient satisfaction; psychological aspect; statistics; withdrawal syndrome; Adult; Ambulatory Care; Buprenorphine; Buprenorphine; Detoxification; Dose regimes; Heroin withdrawal

Citation

Source

Drug and Alcohol Review

Type

Journal article

Book Title

Entity type

Access Statement

License Rights

Restricted until

2037-12-31