Single dose of 24 milligrams of buprenorphine for heroin detoxification: an open-label study of five inpatients.
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.
Ang-Lee
Kathleen
K
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98195-6560, USA. kanglee@u.washington.edu
Oreskovich
Michael R
MR
Saxon
Andrew J
AJ
Jaffe
Craig
C
Meredith
Charles
C
Ellis
Mei Ling K
ML
Malte
Carol A
CA
Knox
Patricia C
PC
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*
D002047:Buprenorphine