Practical considerations for the clinical use of buprenorphine.
Buprenorphine is a new and attractive medication option for many opioid-addicted adults and their physicians. Before initiating buprenorphine treatment, providers must be aware of such critical factors as how the medication works, its efficacy and safety profile, how it is used in opioid withdrawal as well as maintenance treatment, and how patients can best be selected, educated about buprenorphine, and monitored throughout treatment. This article reviews these important issues as well as requirements for physician and staff training and needs for additional research on this unique medication.
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA. Hejones@jhmi.edu
Hendree E
HE
Jones
D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004496:Education, Continuing; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008691:Methadone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018579:Patient Selection
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009294:Narcotics; D009270:Naloxone; D002047:Buprenorphine; D008691:Methadone