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by Dr Lucinda M. Cockayne and Ms Elizabeth Hutchings
Last reviewed: February 2020 by Dr Michael Kehoe
Buprenorphine is a relatively recent addition to the treatment of opioid dependence in the UK, where historically, methadone has been seen as the 'gold standard' in treatment. Patients have limited treatment options in terms of licensed medications when compared to other mental health conditions.
So why use buprenorphine as a prescribing option in opioid dependence?
Buprenorphine is a NICE-approved treatment for both maintenance and detoxification in opioid dependence. It provides an important alternative to methadone and has similar efficacy in maintenance. It has also been widely accepted that it provides superior results when used for detoxification from opioids when compared to methadone or lofexidine (Cochrane, 2009). However, the relapse rates in the year post-detoxification remain high whatever the method of detoxification.
This module will help you gain confidence in the use of buprenorphine for both the maintenance and detoxification phases of opioid dependence.
Start the module
If you like this module, you may also be interested in:
Safe and effective opioid replacement therapy by Dr Brian Kidd, Dr Manjunatha Anantharamu and Dr Venkata S.K. Arvapalli
Stimulants: epidemiology and impact on mental health by Professor Fabrizio Schifano and Dr Antonio Albanese
Stimulants: treatment approaches and organising services by Professor Fabrizio Schifano and Dr Antonio Albanese
Substance use disorders in older people by Dr Rahul Rao and Professor Ilana Crome
Podcast: Amphetamine-type stimulant drugs: a dangerous trend? by Professor Hamid Ghodse
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