The relative risk of fatal poisoning by methadone or buprenorphine within the wider population of England and Wales

Conclusions
Our analysis of the relative safety of buprenorphine and methadone for opioid substitution treatment reveals that buprenorphine is six times safer than methadone with regard to overdose risk among the general population. Clinicians should be aware of the increased risk of prescribing methadone, and tighter regulations are needed to prevent its diversion. (Source: BMJ Open)

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The relative risk of fatal poisoning by methadone or buprenorphine within the wider population of England and Wales

Conclusions
Our analysis of the relative safety of buprenorphine and methadone for opioid substitution treatment reveals that buprenorphine is six times safer than methadone with regard to overdose risk among the general population. Clinicians should be aware of the increased risk of prescribing methadone, and tighter regulations are needed to prevent its diversion. (Source: BMJ Open)

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A retrospective evaluation of inpatient transfer from high-dose methadone to buprenorphine substitution therapy

The product license of buprenorphine/naloxone for opioid substitution therapy indicates reducing methadone concentrations to 30 mg or less per day for a minimum of 1 week before transferring patients to buprenorphine and no sooner than 24 hours after the last methadone dose, because of the risk of precipitated withdrawal and a corresponding high risk of relapse to opioid use. There are few studies describing high-dose methadone transfers. This retrospective case review assessed the feasibility of transferring patients on methadone doses above 30 mg/day to buprenorphine or buprenorphine/naloxone in the inpatient setting. (Source: Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment)

A retrospective evaluation of inpatient transfer from high-dose methadone to buprenorphine substitution therapy

The product license of buprenorphine/naloxone for opioid substitution therapy indicates reducing methadone concentrations to 30 mg or less per day for a minimum of 1 week before transferring patients to buprenorphine and no sooner than 24 hours after the last methadone dose, because of the risk of precipitated withdrawal and a corresponding high risk of relapse to opioid use. There are few studies describing high-dose methadone transfers. This retrospective case review assessed the feasibility of transferring patients on methadone doses above 30 mg/day to buprenorphine or buprenorphine/naloxone in the inpatient setting. (Source: Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment)

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Factors associated with willingness to take extended release naltrexone among injection drug users.

CONCLUSIONS: A high level of willingness to take XR-NTX was observed in this setting. Interestingly, daily injection heroin use was positively associated with willingness, whereas Caucasian participants were less willing to take XR-NTX. Although explanations for unwillingness were described in this study, further research is needed to investigate real-world acceptability of XR-NTX as an additional option for the treatment of opioid use disorder.
PMID: 25935714 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher] (Source: Addiction Science and Clinical Practice)

Factors associated with willingness to take extended release naltrexone among injection drug users.

CONCLUSIONS: A high level of willingness to take XR-NTX was observed in this setting. Interestingly, daily injection heroin use was positively associated with willingness, whereas Caucasian participants were less willing to take XR-NTX. Although explanations for unwillingness were described in this study, further research is needed to investigate real-world acceptability of XR-NTX as an additional option for the treatment of opioid use disorder.
PMID: 25935714 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher] (Source: Addiction Science and Clinical Practice)

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Factors associated with willingness to take extended release naltrexone among injection drug users

Conclusions:
A high level of willingness to take XR-NTX was observed in this setting. Interestingly, daily injection heroin use was positively associated with willingness, whereas Caucasian participants were less willing to take XR-NTX. Although explanations for unwillingness were described in this study, further research is needed to investigate real-world acceptability of XR-NTX as an additional option for the treatment of opioid use disorder. (Source: Epidemiologic Perspectives and Innovations)

Factors associated with willingness to take extended release naltrexone among injection drug users

Conclusions:
A high level of willingness to take XR-NTX was observed in this setting. Interestingly, daily injection heroin use was positively associated with willingness, whereas Caucasian participants were less willing to take XR-NTX. Although explanations for unwillingness were described in this study, further research is needed to investigate real-world acceptability of XR-NTX as an additional option for the treatment of opioid use disorder. (Source: Epidemiologic Perspectives and Innovations)

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