title: Single dose of 24 milligrams of buprenorphine for heroin detoxification: an open-label study of five inpatients.
abstract: Previous studies indicate that buprenorphine has efficacy in medically supervised opioid withdrawal, but the optimal dosing for maximum tolerability and ease of administration remains undetermined. Five heroin-dependent individuals entered this open-label study of inpatient detoxification with a single 24 mg dose of buprenorphine. The mean Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) score prior to buprenorphine administration was 17.6 (SD = 3.36). COWS scores declined significantly thereafter. There was one episode of precipitated withdrawal that resolved within four hours. Use of ancillary medications was minimal. This study suggests that a single high dose of buprenorphine can be used safely and effectively for inpatient detoxification.
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98195-6560, USA. kanglee@u.washington.edu
authors: Kathleen
authors: K
authors: Ang-Lee
authors: Michael R
authors: MR
authors: Oreskovich
authors: Andrew J
authors: AJ
authors: Saxon
authors: Craig
authors: C
authors: Jaffe
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Meredith
authors: Mei Ling K
authors: ML
authors: Ellis
authors: Carol A
authors: CA
authors: Malte
authors: Patricia C
authors: PC
authors: Knox
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D002047:Buprenorphine