Controlled trial of maintenance treatment of intravenous buprenorphine dependence.
BACKGROUND
Buprenorphine dependence is a relatively novel addiction.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the treatment outcome in three groups over 12-weeks of treatment.


METHODS
Two hundred and four intravenous (i.v.)-buprenorphine-dependent patients were randomised into three groups. Subjects received 50 mg oral methadone tablet, or 5 mg sublingual buprenorphine tablet, or 50 mg oral naltrexone, and a weekly 30-minute clinical counselling session.


RESULTS
The majority (80%) had a history of opium or heroin dependency before they were introduced to i.v. buprenorphine. The main source of buprenorphine for misusers was street sale (91%). The mean duration of buprenorphine dependence was 1.9 years and the mean dose per day was 3.9 ampoules (1 ampoule contains 0.3 mg of buprenorphine in 1 ml). Overall 59% of the patients completed the 12-week study. Retention in the 50 mg methadone group was significantly better than the 5 mg dose buprenorphine group (p=0.001) and the 50 mg dose naltrexone group (p=0.000). Retention in the 5 mg buprenorphine group was significantly better than the 50 mg naltrexone dose group (p=0.000).


CONCLUSIONS
These results support the efficacy and safety of oral methadone and sublingual buprenorphine tablets for injection buprenorphine-dependent patients.
Ahmadi
J
J
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Hafez Hospital, Shiraz, Iran. jamshid_ahmadi@yahoo.com
Ahmadi
K
K
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000328:Adult; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000633:toxicity*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000633:toxicity*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009294:Narcotics; D002047:Buprenorphine; D009271:Naltrexone; D008691:Methadone