CONCLUSIONS: Although codeine can be considered a relatively weak opioid analgesic, it is nevertheless addictive, and the significant morbidity and specific patient characteristics associated with overuse of codeine-ibuprofen analgesics support further awareness, investigation and monitoring of OTC codeine-ibuprofen analgesic use.
PMID: 20819050 [PubMed – in process] (Source: Med J Aust)

Previously only available in sublingual tablet form, buprenorphine/naloxone in the form of a sublingual film will become available in starting in October 2010. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Pharmacist Headlines)

WASHINGTON (MedPage Today) — The FDA has approved a new sublingual film formulation of the opioid dependence treatment combination buprenorphrine/naloxone (Suboxone). (Source: MedPage Today Public Health)

MonoSol Rx, the developers of PharmFilm® technology and a drug delivery company specializing in film pharmaceutical products, today announced that its partner, Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reckitt Benckiser Group plc (LSE: RB), has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market Suboxone® (buprenorphine HCl/naloxone HCl dihydrate) sublingual film for the treatment of opioid dependence. This is the second U.S… (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Richmond, VA (31st August 2010) – Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc. today announces that it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its New Drug Application (NDA) to manufacture and market Suboxone… (Source: Drugs.com – New Drug Approvals)

Conclusions: In Malaysia, BUP and BNX IDU occur among heroin IDUs. The introduction of BNX and withdrawal of BUP may have helped to reduce, but did not eliminate the problems with diversion and abuse. (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)

Abstract  Research conducted during the first 20 years of the AIDS epidemic provided a solid foundation of data supporting methadone
treatment as HIV prevention. Drug users in methadone treatment were consistently found to reduce the frequency of drug use,
risk behaviors, and infections. These data have been consistent over time and across cultural settings and have been used
to promote the expansion of drug treatment as a prevention intervention. More recently, data have emerged suggesting the prevention
potential of medication-assisted treatments other than methadone (buprenorphine/naloxone and naltrexone). Still, with a few
notable exceptions, global drug treatment coverage for opiate injectors remains remarkably low and only a few treatment interventions
for stimul…

Abstract: Previous reports have demonstrated greater antinociception following administration of a buprenorphine/naloxone combination compared to buprenorphine alone among healthy volunteers. The aim of the current investigation was to determine whether buprenorphine antinociception could be enhanced with the addition of ultra-low dose naltrexone, using a range of dose ratios. A repeated-measures, double-blind, cross-over trial was undertaken with 10 healthy participants. The effects of each buprenorphine:naltrexone ratio (100:1, 133:1, 166:1, and 200:1) on cold pressor tolerance time and respiration were compared to the effects of buprenorphine only. The 166:1 ratio was associated with significantly greater tolerance time to cold pressor pain than buprenorphine alone. Minimal respiratory …

Updated Date: Jul 29, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

Conclusions Extended BUP treatment relative to brief detoxification is cost effective in the US health-care system for the outpatient treatment of opioid-dependent youth. (Source: Addiction)