Treatment of heroin dependence with buprenorphine in primary care.

Publisher: Informa Healthcare Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 7502510 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 0095-2990 (Print) Linking ISSN: 00952990 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: London : Informa Healthcare
Original Publication: New York, Dekker.

Ambulatory Care* ; Urban Population*; Buprenorphine/*administration & dosage ; Heroin Dependence/*rehabilitation; Administration, Sublingual ; Adult ; Buprenorphine/adverse effects ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Connecticut ; Counseling ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Primary Health Care ; Social Support ; Treatment Outcome

Buprenorphine is an effective treatment for heroin dependence. The feasibility and potential efficacy of buprenorphine with brief counseling in primary care is unknown. We enrolled 14 heroin dependent patients in a 13-week clinical trial using thrice weekly buprenorphine along with brief counseling in the primary care center of an urban medical center. Primary outcomes included urine toxicology and treatment retention. Opioid-positive urine toxicology tests reduced over the 13-week period from 95 to 25% (p < 0.05). Eleven patients (79%) had greater than or equal to one week of opioid-free urine toxicologies. Nine patients (64%) had greater than or equal to three weeks of opioid-free urine toxicologies. Eleven patients (79%) were retained through the maintenance phase. We conclude that buprenorphine maintenance is feasible in a primary care setting.

K12 DA00167 United States DA NIDA NIH HHS

40D3SCR4GZ (Buprenorphine)

Date Created: 20020517 Date Completed: 20021204 Latest Revision: 20190922

20221213

10.1081/ada-120002972

12014814