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BUPRENORPHINE DETOX
Buprenorphine has both opiate and "anti-opiate" properties. When administered while patient is suffering from opiate withdrawal, it rapidly reduces and often eliminates symptoms within an hour. Although buprenorphine is an opioid, and thus can produce typical side effects such as euphoria and respiratory depression, its maximal effects are less than those of heroin or methadone.
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ABOUT BUPRENORPHINE DETOX
Buprenorphine is an opioid with effects that are similar to (but milder than) heroin or methadone. In 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid addiction.
Like other opioids, buprenorphine works by attaching to receptors in the brain that block pain, slow breathing, and cause general feelings of calm or euphoria. Buprenorphine blocks the effects of other opioids, decreases opioid cravings, and suppresses withdrawal symptoms.
Among the benefits of using buprenorphine in addiction treatment is that, unlike heroin or other opiates, buprenorphine has a “ceiling,” or a dosage limit after which higher doses no longer have an impact.
Currently, two versions of buprenorphine (Subutex® and Suboxone®) have been approved by the FDA for use in opioid addiction treatment.
In October 2002, the FDA approved the buprenorphine monotherapy product, Subutex ® for use in opioid addiction treatment.
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Suboxone ® is a combination of Buprenorphine and Naloxone. Suboxone ® is sublingual, which means it is taken under the tongue.
Suboxone ® cannot be injected, because the Naloxone element will cause instant opiate withdrawal.
A NIDA-supported study has found evidence that combining disulfiram, a medication long used to treat alcohol addiction, with buprenorphine, can reduce cocaine abuse among the more than 50 percent of heroin-addicted individuals also addicted to cocaine.
There are a variety of effective treatments for heroin addiction. Treatment tends to be more effective when abuse is identified early. The treatments that follow vary depending on the individual. Methadone has a record of success for people addicted to heroin.
Several options are available for treating prescription opioid addiction. These options are drawn from research regarding the treatment of heroin addiction, and include medications such as naltrexone, methadone, and buprenorphine, as well as behavioral counseling.