title: Methadone- and buprenorphine-related ambulance attendances: a population-based indicator of adverse events.
abstract: This study examined the nature and extent of methadone- and buprenorphine-related morbidity through a retrospective analysis of ambulance service records (N = 243) in Melbourne, Australia. Cases in which methadone and buprenorphine were implicated are examined. Demographic and presenting characteristics, transport outcomes, and other substance use were explored. There were 84 buprenorphine-related attendances and 159 methadone-related attendances recorded on the database over the 4-year period. Presenting signs (respiratory rate and Glasgow Coma Scale score) were lower in the methadone-related attendances. Most of the attendances resulted in transport to hospital. Most presentations did not involve traditional signs of opioid overdose, a finding that warrants further investigation. This is the first article to describe characteristics of methadone- and buprenorphine-related ambulance attendances, with results suggesting this may be a useful way to monitor harms associated with these medications in the future.
authors.affiliation: Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre, Victoria, Australia. suzin@turningpoint.org.au
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dietze
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cantwell
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000552:Ambulances / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D062787:Drug Overdose; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014739:Victoria; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009294:Narcotics; D002047:Buprenorphine; D008691:Methadone