Controlled trial of maintenance treatment of intravenous buprenorphine dependence.

Author(s): Ahmadi J, Ahmadi K

Affiliation(s): Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Hafez Hospital, Shiraz, Iran. jamshid_ahmadi@yahoo.com

Publication date & source: 2003-10, Ir J Med Sci., 172(4):171-3.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Buprenorphine dependence is a relatively novel addiction. AIMS: To compare the treatment outcome in three groups over 12-weeks of treatment. METHODS: Two hundred and four intravenous (i.v.)-buprenorphine-dependent patients were randomised into three groups. Subjects received 50 mg oral methadone tablet, or 5 mg sublingual buprenorphine tablet, or 50 mg oral naltrexone, and a weekly 30-minute clinical counselling session. RESULTS: The majority (80%) had a history of opium or heroin dependency before they were introduced to i.v. buprenorphine. The main source of buprenorphine for misusers was street sale (91%). The mean duration of buprenorphine dependence was 1.9 years and the mean dose per day was 3.9 ampoules (1 ampoule contains 0.3 mg of buprenorphine in 1 ml). Overall 59% of the patients completed the 12-week study. Retention in the 50 mg methadone group was significantly better than the 5 mg dose buprenorphine group (p=0.001) and the 50 mg dose naltrexone group (p=0.000). Retention in the 5 mg buprenorphine group was significantly better than the 50 mg naltrexone dose group (p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: These results support the efficacy and safety of oral methadone and sublingual buprenorphine tablets for injection buprenorphine-dependent patients.