| Title | Opioid dependence: rationale for and efficacy of existing and new treatments. |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2006 |
| Authors | Fiellin, David A., Gerald H. Friedland, and Marc N. Gourevitch |
| Journal | Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America |
| Volume | 43 Suppl 4 |
| Pagination | S173-7 |
| Date Published | 2006 Dec 15 |
| ISSN | 1537-6591 |
| Keywords | Buprenorphine, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Drug Administration Schedule, Drug Interactions, Female, Humans, Male, Methadone, Naloxone, Narcotic Antagonists, Opioid-Related Disorders, Prognosis, Risk Assessment, Substance Abuse Detection, Substance Withdrawal Syndrome, Treatment Outcome |
| Abstract | Opioid dependence is a chronic and relapsing medical disorder with a well-established neurobiological basis. Opioid agonist treatments, such as methadone and the recently approved buprenorphine, stabilize opioid receptors and the intracellular processes that lead to opioid withdrawal and craving. Both methadone and buprenorphine have been proven effective for the treatment of opioid dependence and can contribute to a decreased risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. In addition, a buprenorphine/naloxone combination appears to have a decreased potential for abuse or diversion, compared with that associated with methadone. Largely because of these properties, recent legislation now affords an unprecedented opportunity for general physicians to offer opioid agonist treatment through their offices. This review focuses on the neurobiological basis of opioid dependence, the rationale for methadone and buprenorphine treatments, and issues in prescribing these medications to patients with HIV infection. |
| DOI | 10.3109/00952990.2011.568081 |
| Alternate Journal | Clin. Infect. Dis. |
