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

Am J Addict. 2008 Mar-Apr;17(2):116-20. doi: 10.1080/10550490701860971.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Buprenorphine / administration & dosage*
  • Buprenorphine / adverse effects
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Counseling
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heroin Dependence / epidemiology
  • Heroin Dependence / rehabilitation*
  • Humans
  • Long-Term Care
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Naloxone / administration & dosage*
  • Naloxone / adverse effects
  • Narcotic Antagonists / administration & dosage*
  • Narcotic Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Patient Dropouts / statistics & numerical data
  • Primary Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Substance Abuse Detection / statistics & numerical data
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Naloxone
  • Buprenorphine