Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is morphine-like but is 25 to 50 times more potent [15,16]. It is noteworthy that buprenorphine has very low oral bioavailability because it undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism. However, its bioavailability is substantial enough that sublingual (SL) administration makes this a feasible treatment for opioid dependence. The mean time to peak plasma concentration following SL administration varies and can range from 40 minutes to 3.5 hours. Buprenorphine is highly protein bound (96%)

Buprenorphine is a semisynthetic opioid derivative of thebaine (1). It is a partial opioid agonist (has both agonist and antagonist properties (2, 3)) that is used as a narcotic analgesic. After 10 years of study and research, buprenorphine was successfully synthesized in 1969 by researchers at Reckitt Benckiser. Its first name was RX6029 and was successful in reducing dependence on animal trials for research (later named buprenorphine and began trials on humans in 1971). It was legalized in the

Research Question The researchers conducting this study wanted to know which opioid dependence treatment, buprenorphine or methadone, has the smallest potential for causing neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in newborns. Rationale for Treatment Methadone is typically given to treat opioid dependence. This drug, which is a mu-opioid agonist, works by limiting withdrawal symptoms and the desire to use opiates. However, methadone has been shown to have a high incidence of causing neonatal abstinence

Discussion: Probuphine provides an answer to the continuous increase in opioid user relapsing with its very distinctive delivery platform. The subdermal implant offers a continuous drug delivery system providing non-fluctuating levels in the blood of buprenorphine for a period of six months as a single treatment.2 The most common side effects of probuphine are constipation and implant-site reactions. Due to the risk associated with insertion and removal Probuphine is only available through a Risk Evaluation

Sources: Brogden, R., Heel, R., Speight, T., & Avery, G. (2012) Bioavailability Route of Administration Buprenorphine Bioavailability Relative to Intravenous Route of Administration Buprenorphine Bioavailability Relative to Intramuscular Route of Administration Buprenorphine Bioavailability Relative to Sublingual Solution Route of Administration Intravenous 100% — — Intramuscular 70% 100% — Sublingual Solution 49% 70% 100% Sublingual Tablet 29% 42% 50–70% Sources: Brewster et al. 1981; Kuhlman et

“Buprenorphine and methadone, both being opioids, activate the opioid (mu) receptors on nerve cells. And both drugs have long half-life’s, meaning that they’re long-acting medications” (Reuter, Nicholas, and Reckitt Benckiser). The chief difference between the two detoxifiers is the idea of a partial agonist versus a full agonist; methadone and heroin are full agonist where as buprenorphine is only a partial agonist (Reuter, Nicholas, and Reckitt

The index measures “drug use, HIV risk taking behaviors, social functioning, criminality, health status, and psychological functioning.” In 2001, an amendment was added to the Controlled Substance Act that required US physicians who prescribe buprenorphine, to provide support treatment or referral to behavioral treatment (SAMHSA, 2004). This perspective of recovery was looked at further in a longitudinal pilot study done over eleven years in a medically-assisted treatment

connections between gathered findings, and present a deeper understanding of participants experiences in relation to the results (Creswell, Klassen, Plano-Clark, & Smith (2011). This study began with a sample of 300 African American currently receiving Buprenorphine MAT in Baltimore, Maryland. Quantitative data was gathered at baseline, 3 month, and 6 month intervals, utilizing face-to-face interview assessments, consisting of yes/no questions, as well as Likert-type scales. Additionally, urinalyses were utilized

In recent years, chronic pain in the elderly (>65 years of age) is a significant problem. Chronic pain increases with age due to increases in the incidence of diseases such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular and neurological diseases. Detection and management of chronic pain especially in the elderly is often inadequate and continues to pose a challenge for physicians. The detection of chronic pain in patients can be measured with a pain scoring system of a scale of 1 to

Almost one hundred years ago, prescription drugs like morphine were available at almost any general store. Women carried bottles of very addictive potent opiate based pain killers in their purse. Many individuals like Edgar Allen Poe died from such addictions. Since that time through various federal, state and local laws, drugs like morphine are now prescription drugs; however, this has not stopped the addiction to opiate based pain killers. Today’s society combats an ever increasing number of