title: Rapid heroin detoxification using a single high dose of buprenorphine.
abstract: To test the effect of 32 mg of buprenorphine on the withdrawal process from heroin, 10 street-heroin using subjects were given 32 mg of sublingual buprenorphine, following heroin abstinence of 24 hours. Withdrawal symptoms were monitored during the first few hours, and followed for six days after buprenorphine administration, after which naltrexone (50 mg) was introduced to prevent future heroin use. Nine subjects completed detoxification with negligible withdrawal symptoms and a smooth transition to naltrexone. One subject was excluded from the study due to methadone ingestion prior to experiment. These results strongly suggest that painless detoxification from heroin can be obtained by a single high dose of buprenorphine.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Services, Meir General Hospital, Kfar-Saba, Israel. ikutz@netvision.net.il
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kutz
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Reznik
mesh_terms: D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000328:Adult; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D002047:Buprenorphine