title: A Question About the Safety of Buprenorphine/Naloxone and Benzodiazepine Drugs.
abstract: Drug overdose is the leading cause of injury death in the United States, and most deaths are related to prescription drugs. A substantial proportion of these deaths involve opioid or benzodiazepine drugs, and many overdoses include a combination of both drug classes. Buprenorphine/naloxone has an unusual pharmacology that distinguishes it from other opioid drugs. Animal and human studies have found that buprenorphine is associated with a ceiling to its cardio-respiratory depressant effect at higher doses, such that it may have a wider safety margin compared to other opioid drugs. Compared to buprenorphine alone, buprenorphine/naloxone is associated with less cardiorespiratory depression. Drug safety data from the National Poison Data System, Drug Abuse Warning Network, and other sources suggest that the safety of buprenorphine/naloxone is favorable compared to the morbidity and mortality associated with other opioid drugs and other classes of psychotropic drugs.
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Howland
mesh_terms: D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000069479:Buprenorphine, Naloxone Drug Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000069479:Buprenorphine, Naloxone Drug Combination; D001569:Benzodiazepines