title: Assessment of differential doses of buprenorphine for long term pharmacotherapy among opiate dependent subjects.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate, two different doses of sublingual buprenorphine (2 mg and 4 mg) among patients on maintenance treatment and to assess the relationship of steady state plasma level with craving. Twenty three male opioid dependent (ICD-10 DCR) subjects, were assigned to double blind randomized controlled trial of 2 and 4 mg/day doses of buprenorphine in an inpatient setting. They were evaluated thrice (2nd, 7th and 14th day) in 2 weeks for withdrawal symptoms (acute and protracted), sedation, euphoria, craving, side effects, global rating of well being and for measurement of plasma levels of buprenorphine. The data showed that there were no significant difference in scores of euphoria and sedation, protracted withdrawal symptoms and side effects, craving and overall well being and plasma level of buprenorphine among the subjects. However, both the groups had significant difference in score on almost all the measurements on final observation in comparison to initial observation. Both 2 mg/day and 4 mg/day dose of buprenorphine were effective in long term pharmacotherapy of opioid dependence without significant difference as compared by different measures used in the study.
authors.affiliation: National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre and Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, Pin 110029, India.
authors.forename: Shantanu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De
authors.forename: Raka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: Rajat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: Anju
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dhawan
authors.forename: Sunny T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Varghese
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005059:Euphoria / Q000187:drug effects; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008297:Male; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D002047:Buprenorphine