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Clinical Synthesis
Published Online: 11 April 2019

Novel Formulations of Buprenorphine for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder

Publication: FOCUS, A Journal of the American Psychiatric Association

Abstract

Novel buprenorphine delivery systems—two depot formulations and a long-acting, matchstick-sized implant—have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of opioid use disorder while reducing the risk of medication nonadherence, diversion, and accidental exposure.

Abstract

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is epidemic in the United States. In addition to medical, economic, and social impairments, risk of overdose fatality is high. In 2017, there were 14,958 deaths from natural or semisynthetic opioids, 15,958 from heroin, and 29,406 from synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. Psychosocial interventions do not add substantial efficacy to medical OUD treatments, and thus making evidence-based OUD treatments more accessible is urgent. However, considerable diversion of oral and transmucosal opioid maintenance medications has been documented. Delivery systems that reduce risks of nonadherence through diversion or altered self-administration may increase buprenorphine’s effectiveness for clinical stabilization via increased treatment exposure. The article presents findings from multisite efficacy studies of two subcutaneous depot buprenorphine formulations and a long-acting implant. Novel delivery systems show promise in providing improved outcomes through intermediate- and long-acting exposure to medication while reducing the risk of medication nonadherence, diversion, and accidental exposure.

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Published In

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FOCUS, A Journal of the American Psychiatric Association
Pages: 104 - 109

History

Published in print: Spring 2019
Published online: 11 April 2019

Keywords

  1. Drug/Substance Abuse
  2. Treatment assessment and planning

Authors

Details

Richard N. Rosenthal, M.D. [email protected]
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Health Sciences Center, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York.

Notes

Send correspondence to Dr. Rosenthal ([email protected]).

Funding Information

Dr. Rosenthal reports receiving consulting fees and support for continuing medical education from Molteni Farma.

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