This study compared the ability of buprenorphine (B) and B/N films to suppress spontaneous withdrawal in opioid-dependent volunteers. Participants were maintained on morphine and underwent challenge sessions to confirm sensitivity to naloxone-induced opioid withdrawal. Subjects were randomized to receive either B (16 mg, n = 18) or B/N (16/4 mg, n = 16) soluble films for 5 days. The primary outcome measure was the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) score. Thirty-four subjects completed induction onto soluble films. There was a significant decrease in COWS scores but no significant differences between the groups. The results support the use of B and B/N soluble films as safe and effective delivery methods for opioid induction.
PMID: 21270789 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher] (S…

This study compared the ability of buprenorphine (B) and B/N films to suppress spontaneous withdrawal in opioid-dependent volunteers. Participants were maintained on morphine and underwent challenge sessions to confirm sensitivity to naloxone-induced opioid withdrawal. Subjects were randomized to receive either B (16 mg, n = 18) or B/N (16/4 mg, n = 16) soluble films for 5 days. The primary outcome measure was the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) score. Thirty-four subjects completed induction onto soluble films. There was a significant decrease in COWS scores but no significant differences between the groups. The results support the use of B and B/N soluble films as safe and effective delivery methods for opioid induction.
PMID: 21270789 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher] (S…

On the Web site of the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP), the list goes on for pages: atracurium, bumetanide, buprenorphine, clindamycin, cisatracurium, epinephrine, fentanyl, furosemide, lipid emulsion, lidocaine, metronidazole, naloxone, propofol, rocuronium, succinylcholine, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, torsemide, vancomycin hydrochloride, vecuronium. They are all sterile injectable drugs that an emergency physician might use every day, and they and dozens of other drugs—more than 140 in late November—are on the list because they are either unavailable or in extremely short supply. There is a similar though less complete list, bearing 50 names in late November, on the Web site of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (Source: Annals of Emergency Medicine)

On the Web site of the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP), the list goes on for pages: atracurium, bumetanide, buprenorphine, clindamycin, cisatracurium, epinephrine, fentanyl, furosemide, lipid emulsion, lidocaine, metronidazole, naloxone, propofol, rocuronium, succinylcholine, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, torsemide, vancomycin hydrochloride, vecuronium. They are all sterile injectable drugs that an emergency physician might use every day, and they and dozens of other drugs—more than 140 in late November—are on the list because they are either unavailable or in extremely short supply. There is a similar though less complete list, bearing 50 names in late November, on the Web site of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (Source: Annals of Emergency Medicine)

Conclusions.Australian prescribers perceive most patients adhere with OST, although they may underestimate the levels of diversion. Prescribers’ beliefs about patients’ behaviours are important and influence decisions to prescribe, medication choice and suitability for unsupervised dosing. The uncertainties in assessing and responding to diversion/injection may be a factor deterring prescribers’ participation in OST.[Larance B, Degenhardt L, O’Brien S, Lintzeris N, Winstock A, Mattick RP, Bell J, Ali R. Prescribers’ perceptions of the diversion and injection of medication by opioid substitution treatment patients. Drug Alcohol Rev 2011] (Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)

Conclusions.Australian prescribers perceive most patients adhere with OST, although they may underestimate the levels of diversion. Prescribers’ beliefs about patients’ behaviours are important and influence decisions to prescribe, medication choice and suitability for unsupervised dosing. The uncertainties in assessing and responding to diversion/injection may be a factor deterring prescribers’ participation in OST.[Larance B, Degenhardt L, O’Brien S, Lintzeris N, Winstock A, Mattick RP, Bell J, Ali R. Prescribers’ perceptions of the diversion and injection of medication by opioid substitution treatment patients. Drug Alcohol Rev 2011] (Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)