Diversion and abuse of the medications used in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) methadone (MET), mono-buprenorphine (BUP) and buprenorphine-naloxone (BNX) have been documented in countries around the world, for example in France (Auriacombe, Fatseas, Dubernet, Daulouede, & Tignol, 2004; Nordmann et al., 2012; Obadia, Perrin, Feroni, Vlahov, & Moatti, 2001; Roux et al., 2008a; Roux et al., 2008b; Vidal-Trecan, Varescon, Nabet, & Boissonnas, 2003), Australia (Aitken, Higgs, & Hellard, 2008; Degenhardt et al., 2009; Horyniak, Dietze, Larance, Winstock, & Degenhardt, 2011; Jenkinson, Clark, Fry, & Dobbin, 2005; Larance et al., 2011a; Winstock & Lea, 2010), USA (Bazazi, Yokell, Fu, Rich, & Zaller, 2011; Cicero, Surratt, & Inciardi, 2007; Dasgupta et al., 2010; Johanson, Arfken, di Menza, & Sc…

Diversion and abuse of the medications used in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) methadone (MET), mono-buprenorphine (BUP) and buprenorphine-naloxone (BNX) have been documented in countries around the world, for example in France (Auriacombe, Fatseas, Dubernet, Daulouede, & Tignol, 2004; Nordmann et al., 2012; Obadia, Perrin, Feroni, Vlahov, & Moatti, 2001; Roux et al., 2008a; Roux et al., 2008b; Vidal-Trecan, Varescon, Nabet, & Boissonnas, 2003), Australia (Aitken, Higgs, & Hellard, 2008; Degenhardt et al., 2009; Horyniak, Dietze, Larance, Winstock, & Degenhardt, 2011; Jenkinson, Clark, Fry, & Dobbin, 2005; Larance et al., 2011a; Winstock & Lea, 2010), USA (Bazazi, Yokell, Fu, Rich, & Zaller, 2011; Cicero, Surratt, & Inciardi, 2007; Dasgupta et al., 2010; Johanson, Arfken, di Menza, & Sc…

Authors: Sullivan JG, Webster L
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide a preliminary assessment of the safety, tolerability, symptom control, and acceptability of buprenorphine-naloxone buccal film (BBN) for the maintenance treatment of opioid dependence in patients converted from buprenorphine-naloxone sublingual tablet or film (SLBN), as well as to determine the conversion ratio for switching patients from SLBN to BBN.
METHODS: This open-label study included adult opioid-dependent subjects stabilized on 8/2 to 32/8 mg/d of SLBN for a minimum of 30 days. Study subjects were converted to a bioequivalent dose of BBN and maintained for 12 weeks.
FINDINGS: A total of 249 subjects (mean age 38.7 years, 65.9% male) were converted from SLBN to a single daily d…

Authors: Sullivan JG, Webster L
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide a preliminary assessment of the safety, tolerability, symptom control, and acceptability of buprenorphine-naloxone buccal film (BBN) for the maintenance treatment of opioid dependence in patients converted from buprenorphine-naloxone sublingual tablet or film (SLBN), as well as to determine the conversion ratio for switching patients from SLBN to BBN.
METHODS: This open-label study included adult opioid-dependent subjects stabilized on 8/2 to 32/8 mg/d of SLBN for a minimum of 30 days. Study subjects were converted to a bioequivalent dose of BBN and maintained for 12 weeks.
FINDINGS: A total of 249 subjects (mean age 38.7 years, 65.9% male) were converted from SLBN to a single daily d…

(Source: RxList – New and Updated Drug Monographs)

(Source: RxList – New and Updated Drug Monographs)

 
2.5 out of 5 stars
Abuse of Medications That Theoretically Are Without Abuse Potential. Reeves RR et al. South Med J 2015 Mar;108:151-157.
Abstract
This review of noncontrolled prescription and over-the-counter drugs that can be and have been abused for non-medical or recreational purposes is rather sketchy and anecdotal (as the authors admit,) but nevertheless contains some useful information.
Classes of drugs discussed include:

Cold & Cough products: pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, oxymetazoline, dextromethorphan
Anticholinergics: diphenhydramine, benztropine, trihexyphenidyl (Artane)
Antipsychotics: quetiapine, olanzapine
Antidepressants: tricyclics, bupropion, fluoxetine, venlafaxine
Anitconvulsants: pregabalin, gabapentin
Muscle relaxants: carisoprodol, cyclobenaprine (Flexer…

 
2.5 out of 5 stars
Abuse of Medications That Theoretically Are Without Abuse Potential. Reeves RR et al. South Med J 2015 Mar;108:151-157.
Abstract
This review of noncontrolled prescription and over-the-counter drugs that can be and have been abused for non-medical or recreational purposes is rather sketchy and anecdotal (as the authors admit,) but nevertheless contains some useful information.
Classes of drugs discussed include:

Cold & Cough products: pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, oxymetazoline, dextromethorphan
Anticholinergics: diphenhydramine, benztropine, trihexyphenidyl (Artane)
Antipsychotics: quetiapine, olanzapine
Antidepressants: tricyclics, bupropion, fluoxetine, venlafaxine
Anitconvulsants: pregabalin, gabapentin
Muscle relaxants: carisoprodol, cyclobenaprine (Flexer…

Conclusions: Participants receiving BUP/NX 3 times weekly were more likely to reduce opioid injection while on active treatment. Both treatment strategies were considered safe and associated with reductions in injection-related risk behavior. These data support the use of thrice-weekly BUP/NX as a way to reduce exposure to HIV risk. Continued access to BUP/NX may be required to sustain reductions in opioid use. (Source: JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes)

Conclusions: Participants receiving BUP/NX 3 times weekly were more likely to reduce opioid injection while on active treatment. Both treatment strategies were considered safe and associated with reductions in injection-related risk behavior. These data support the use of thrice-weekly BUP/NX as a way to reduce exposure to HIV risk. Continued access to BUP/NX may be required to sustain reductions in opioid use. (Source: JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes)