Aims: The buprenorphine/naloxone (Bup/Nal)combination for the treatment of opioid dependence is available in two forms – sublingual film and tablet. Recent studies demonstrated that treatment with film leads to improved treatment retention and lower healthcare costs. In March 2013 generic tablets appeared on the market. A budget impact model was built to compare health care expenditures based on current market shares of Bup/Nal film and generic Bup/Nal tablet. (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)

Aims: The approval of extended release injectable naltrexone suspension (XR-NTX) has introduced a new option for treating opioid addiction, but the absence of physiological opioid dependence is a necessary and challenging first step for starting therapy. Outpatient detoxification gives poor results and inpatient detoxification is either unavailable or too brief for the physiological effects of opioids to resolve. We summarize findings from an open label study that tested whether the transition from opioid addiction to XR-NTX can be safely and effectively performed in an office-based setting using very low dose oral naltrexone and buprenorphine/naloxone (NTX/BUP). (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)

Aims: The approval of extended release injectable naltrexone suspension (XR-NTX) has introduced a new option for treating opioid addiction, but the absence of physiological opioid dependence is a necessary and challenging first step for starting therapy. Outpatient detoxification gives poor results and inpatient detoxification is either unavailable or too brief for the physiological effects of opioids to resolve. We summarize findings from an open label study that tested whether the transition from opioid addiction to XR-NTX can be safely and effectively performed in an office-based setting using very low dose oral naltrexone and buprenorphine/naloxone (NTX/BUP). (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)

Aims: The 10-site Prescription Opioid Addiction Treatment Study, conducted in the NIDA Clinical Trials Network, examined different lengths of buprenorphine-naloxone (bup-nx) plus medical management, with or without additional counseling, for patients dependent upon prescription opioids. Among patients (N=360) receiving 12 weeks of bup-nx stabilization, 49% achieved successful opioid use outcomes at week 12. The aim of this secondary analysis is to examine the ability to predict outcome (and thus potentially alter the treatment) based on early (weeks 1–4) treatment response. (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)

Aims: Buprenorphine ingestion can cause life-threatening poisoning in young children. Previous reports have found that film formulations are associated with lower pediatric exposure rates than tablet formulations. The purpose of this study is to determine whether these relationships are stable over time. (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the demographic, infectious disease status and clinical severity of dependence among heroin users compared to non-prescribed opioid analgesic users in a group of opioid dependent young adults seeking treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone. (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)

Aims: The 10-site Prescription Opioid Addiction Treatment Study, conducted in the NIDA Clinical Trials Network, examined different lengths of buprenorphine-naloxone (bup-nx) plus medical management, with or without additional counseling, for patients dependent upon prescription opioids. Among patients (N=360) receiving 12 weeks of bup-nx stabilization, 49% achieved successful opioid use outcomes at week 12. The aim of this secondary analysis is to examine the ability to predict outcome (and thus potentially alter the treatment) based on early (weeks 1–4) treatment response. (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)

Aims: Buprenorphine ingestion can cause life-threatening poisoning in young children. Previous reports have found that film formulations are associated with lower pediatric exposure rates than tablet formulations. The purpose of this study is to determine whether these relationships are stable over time. (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the demographic, infectious disease status and clinical severity of dependence among heroin users compared to non-prescribed opioid analgesic users in a group of opioid dependent young adults seeking treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone. (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)

Aims: Prescription opioid (PO) dependence frequently co-occurs with chronic pain. Prior studies did not find poorer buprenorphine-naloxone (BUP-NLX) outcomes in chronic pain patients, but more dynamic indicators of chronic pain may impact treatment. We hypothesized that greater pain volatility would predict opioid use during BUP-NLX taper in adults with PO dependence and chronic pain. (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)