Yale University

Narrative review: buprenorphine for opioid-dependent patients in office practice.

TitleNarrative review: buprenorphine for opioid-dependent patients in office practice.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsSullivan, Lynn E., and David A. Fiellin
JournalAnnals of internal medicine
Volume148
Issue9
Pagination662-70
Date Published2008 May 6
ISSN1539-3704
KeywordsAdult, Buprenorphine, Drug Combinations, Female, Humans, Methadone, Naloxone, Narcotic Antagonists, Narcotics, Opioid-Related Disorders, Patient Care Planning, Physician's Role, Primary Health Care
AbstractThe profile of opioid dependence in the United States is changing. Abuse of prescription opioids is more common than that of illicit opioids: Recent data indicate that approximately 1.6 million persons abuse or are dependent on prescription opioids, whereas 323,000 abuse or are dependent on heroin. Despite this prevalence, nearly 80% of opioid-dependent persons remain untreated. One option for expanding treatment is the use of buprenorphine and the buprenorphine-naloxone combination. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that can be prescribed by trained physicians and dispensed at pharmacies. This article addresses the clinical presentation of a patient with opioid dependence and describes the relatively new practice of office-based treatment with buprenorphine-naloxone. The different components of treatment; the role of the physician who provides this treatment; and the logistics of treating this growing, multifaceted patient population are also examined.
DOI10.1002/hpm.1029
Alternate JournalAnn. Intern. Med.

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