Long-term treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone in primary care: results at 2-5 years.

Author(s): Fiellin DA, Moore BA, Sullivan LE, Becker WC, Pantalon MV, Chawarski MC, Barry DT, O'Connor PG, Schottenfeld RS

Affiliation(s): Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8025, USA. david.fiellin@yale.edu

Publication date & source: 2008-03, Am J Addict., 17(2):116-20.

Publication type: Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

To examine long-term outcomes with primary care office-based buprenorphine/naloxone treatment, we followed 53 opioid-dependent patients who had already demonstrated six months of documented clinical stability for 2-5 years. Primary outcomes were retention, illicit drug use, dose, satisfaction, serum transaminases, and adverse events. Thirty-eight percent of enrolled subjects were retained for two years. Ninety-one percent of urine samples had no evidence of opioid use, and patient satisfaction was high. Serum transaminases remained stable from baseline. No serious adverse events related to treatment occurred. We conclude that select opioid-dependent patients exhibit moderate levels of retention in primary care office-based treatment.