Previous residential studies conducted at the ARC showed that heroin-dependent individuals may be rapidly inducted onto buprenorphine without producing clinically significant opiate-withdrawal symptoms, may be maintained on daily or alternate-day buprenorphine dosing schedules, and experience a mild to moderate withdrawal syndrome after abrupt withdrawal of buprenorphine. Results from dose-ranging studies indicated an appropriate dose for use in non-residential maintenance treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of buprenorphine (8 mg sl daily) in maintaining opiate-dependent individuals over 6 months of nonresidential treatment as compared to the prototypic treatment drub methadone (20 mg or 60 mg daily). 162 Opiate-dependent subjects were randomly assigned after stratification by age, sex, and the results of a naloxone challenge. This study, the largest clinical trial to date assessing the effectiveness of buprenorphine for the treatment of opiate dependence, found buprenorphine as effective as methadone-60 mg on almost all outcome measures, and both significantly more effective than methadone-20 mg. There was no significant difference among groups in urine samples positive for cocaine.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Intramural Research (Z01)
Project #
1Z01DA000090-03
Application #
3838597
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
United States
Zip Code