Transferring Methadone‐maintained Outpatients to the Buprenorphine Sublingual Tablet: A Preliminary Study
- 9 July 2003
- journal article
- Published by Wiley in The American Journal on Addictions
- Vol. 12 (4) , 365-374
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1521-0391.2003.tb00550.x
Abstract
There is no accepted algorithm to transfer opioid‐dependent patients from methadone (METH) to its new alternative, buprenorphine (BUP). Five outpatients transferred (double blind, double dummy) from METH 60 mg/day (with one day at 45 mg) to BUP 8 mg s.l. tablet. Relative to METH maintenance, BUP decreased opioid agonist symptoms (transfer day 1) and increased withdrawal symptoms (days 1 and 2) and blood pressure (day 2). Self‐reported heroin use did not increase from METH maintenance levels. It may be feasible to transfer outpatients on METH 60 mg/day to BUP 8 mg/day s.l. tablet, although this pilot protocol needs refinements to improve tolerability and clinical efficacy.Keywords
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