Tag: Buprenorphine

Opioid Use Disorder and Medication Assistance

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Nearly every U.S. family is affected by addiction with opioid use disorder rising significantly in the last 10 years. Despite this trend, a surprising number of individuals still do not have access to medication-assisted therapy.

Buprenorphine based medications enjoy a proven track record of success in helping patients achieve long lasting stablization and elimination of their opioid withdrawal symptoms. A study recently published in the International Journal of Drug Policy found that almost 87% of those with opioid use disorder were not yet receiving therapeutic medications that could increase their likelihood of a successful recovery.

The good news is that there has been a substantial increase nationwide in the number of treatment providers who offer buprenorphine and counseling services. Organizations like BrightView and Acadia are opening clinics in multiple states and aim to expand their service availability in the year ahead.

With opioids now vulnerable to being adulterated with deadly fentanyl and other substances, it is important that people struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD) find treatment and support as soon as possible.

Buprenorphine based medications and methadone are making a real difference in restoring quality of life, and enabling patients to become once again fully productive, and able to focus on a healthy lifestyle. Medication assistance is key, and for many people opens a door that was previously closed for a very long time.

Comparing Buprenorphine and Methadone

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Buprenorphine and methadone are the two leading medications available for the treatment of opioid addiction. Their primary medical benefit is their ability to eliminate opioid withdrawal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, runny nose, chills, sweating, muscle ache, cramps, anxiety, agitation, and sleeplessness.

Buprenorphine and methadone are FDA-approved and have been in use for a combined 50+ years. Scientific research has proven the effectiveness of both medications, and they have been deemed a best practice treatment intervention by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Methadone is a full opioid agonist whereas buprenorphine is categorized as a partial opioid agonist. Because of this, buprenorphine has a better safety profile and has less potential for overdose than does methadone. Buprenorphine’s improved safety profile allows it to be offered by prescription from a physician’s office. Methadone is more highly regulated and must be administered every day in a clinic setting.

Being able to take buprenorphine products at home (like Suboxone) provides much more convenience for those individuals with daytime jobs and other pressing responsibilities. Patients receiving methadone must report in to a clinic each day and be observed taking their methadone medication. Buprenorphine-based products like Suboxone or Probuphine do not require the patient to report in daily to a clinic.

Buprenorphine is often taken orally as a tablet (Subutex) or thin film (Suboxone) where it is dissolved sublingually (under the tongue). Methadone is typically dispensed as a liquid that is swallowed. Probuphine (which contains buprenorphine) is a relatively new time-released medication that in inserted under the skin.

More information on this topic is available at SAMHSA and Methadone.US.