title: Use of tincture of opium compared to oral morphine for the treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the difference in time until medical clearance when comparing tincture of opium (TO) to oral morphine (OM) in the treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart review conducted from May 2007 to July 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level III Neonatal Intensive Care unit at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, New Jersey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical Drug Utilization reports identified 26 neonates who were treated with TO and 25 neonates who were treated with OM for NAS. No patients were excluded.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were treated with either TO or OM for the indication of NAS.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome is to compare the time it takes for a baby being treated with TO versus OM for NAS to be medically cleared for discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median time until medical clearance for those treated with TO was 29.5 days compared to 37 days for those treated with OM (p = 0.14).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no statistically significant difference in the time it takes for a baby being treated with TO versus OM for NAS to be medically cleared for discharge. There are a number of safety benefits in using OM compared to TO. Until further data are collected, it is appropriate to continue treatment of neonates with NAS with OM.
authors.affiliation: Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Suzannah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kokotajlo
authors.forename: Christine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Presti
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009357:Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009515:New Jersey; D009892:Opium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010351:Patient Discharge; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009020:Morphine; D009892:Opium