[Buprenorphine or methadone for detoxification of young opioid addicts?].
OBJECTIVE
Comparison of buprenorphine vs. methadone to determine which medication is better for the detoxification of young opioid addicts.


METHODS
93 consecutive opioid-dependent patients (ICD-10) from an in-patient detoxification unit for adolescents were investigated, of which 42 chose buprenorphine and 51 chose methadone for detoxification. Both groups did not differ with regard to different sociodemographic and addiction-specific variables such as age, gender, initiation of drug consumption and duration of opioid intake.


RESULTS
23.5 % of the methadone patients and 38.1 % of the buprenorphine patients finished detoxification successfully, in addition the buprenorphine patients finished detoxification 1.62 days earlier. There was no significant difference concerning these items.


CONCLUSIONS
Buprenorphine seems to be at least as effective as methadone for opioid withdrawal in young addicts.
Ebner
Roland
R
Bezirksklinikum Mainkofen, Psychiatrische Klinik. r.ebner@mainkofen.de
Schreiber
Wolfgang
W
Zierer
Christoph
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009294:Narcotics; D002047:Buprenorphine; D008691:Methadone