Buprenorphine is available in Singapore as substitution treatment for opioid dependence since 2002. This study surveys buprenorphine related deaths in Singapore between September 2003 and December 2004. The aims are to establish the autopsy prevalence of buprenorphine related deaths and the demographical and toxicological profile of the cases. Toxicological screening was performed for all unnat...

OBJECTIVE The transdermal therapeutic system (TTS) with buprenorphine is currently being used 'off-label' to treat chronic pediatric pain. We compiled available pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD), and clinical pediatric data on buprenorphine to rationalize treatment regimens. METHODS We conducted a systematic biomedical literature review focusing on pediatric buprenorphine data. RES...

Buprenorphine and buprenorphine-naloxone fixed combinations are effective for managing patients with opioid dependence, but constipation is one of the most common side effects. Evidence indicates that the rate of constipation is lower when patients are switched from sublingual buprenorphine-naloxone tablets or films to a bilayered bioerodible mucoadhesive buccal film formulation, and while the ...

OBJECTIVES To assess changes in phenotype and pressure sensitivity in patients with suspected opioid-induced-hyperalgesia (OIH) after transitioning to buprenorphine. METHODS Twenty patients with suspected OIH were enrolled to transition to buprenorphine therapy. Patients completed validated self-report measures at baseline and at 1, 4, 8 weeks, and 6 months after initiation of buprenorphine a...

BACKGROUND Buprenorphine is a semi-synthetic opioid used for the treatment of opioid dependence. Opioid use, including buprenorphine, has been increasing in recent years, in the general population and in pregnant women. Consequently, there has been a rise in frequency of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), associated with buprenorphine use during pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to inve...

BACKGROUND Starting with approval for clinical use in the treatment of opioid dependence in October 2002 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), buprenorphine has become an integral treatment option and in recent years, in chronic pain management. Buprenorphine possesses a unique pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profile that can potentially make perioperative analgesia challenging. OBJE...

This study compared the efficacy of buprenorphine, carprofen, and a combination of the 2 analgesics in female baboons. Physiologic and behavioral parameters were assessed at baseline and postoperatively for 6 d by use of continuous noninvasive physiologic monitoring and twice-daily videotaping. Prior to surgery, all animals received a pre-emptive dose of either 0.01 mg/kg buprenorphine intramus...

Given that buprenorphine + naloxone is prescribed for opioid-dependent pregnant women, it is important to examine the extent to which it differs from buprenorphine alone, methadone, or methadone-assisted withdrawal on neonatal and maternal outcomes. Summary statistics on maternal and neonatal outcomes were collected from 7 previously published studies examining treatment for opioid-dependent pr...

OBJECTIVES We examined the use, procurement, and motivations for the use of diverted buprenorphine/naloxone among injecting and noninjecting opioid users in an urban area. METHODS A survey was self-administered among 51 injecting opioid users and 49 noninjecting opioid users in Providence, RI. Participants were recruited from a fixed-site syringe exchange program and a community outreach site...

OBJECTIVE To examine the population-wide overdose risk emerging from the prescription of methadone and buprenorphine for opioid substitution treatment in England and Wales. DESIGN Retrospective administrative data study. SETTING National databases for England and Wales. PARTICIPANTS/CASES Drug-related mortality data were drawn from the Office for National Statistics, and prescription data...