OBJECTIVE: Comparison of buprenorphine vs. methadone to determine which medication is better for the detoxification of young opioid addicts. METHOD: 93 consecutive opioid-dependent patients (ICD-10) from an in-patient detoxification unit for adolescents were investigated, of which 42 chose buprenorphine and 51 chose methadone for detoxification. Both groups did not differ with regard to different sociodemographic and addiction-specific variables such as age, gender, initiation of drug consumption and duration of opioid intake. RESULTS: 23.5 % of the methadone patients and 38.1 % of the buprenorphine patients finished detoxification successfully, in addition the buprenorphine patients finished detoxification 1.62 days earlier. There was no significant difference concerning these items. CONCLUSION: Buprenorphine seems to be at least as effective as methadone for opioid withdrawal in young addicts.
OBJECTIVE: Comparison of buprenorphine vs. methadone to determine which medication is better for the detoxification of young opioid addicts. METHOD: 93 consecutive opioid-dependent patients (ICD-10) from an in-patient detoxification unit for adolescents were investigated, of which 42 chose buprenorphine and 51 chose methadone for detoxification. Both groups did not differ with regard to different sociodemographic and addiction-specific variables such as age, gender, initiation of drug consumption and duration of opioid intake. RESULTS: 23.5 % of the methadonepatients and 38.1 % of the buprenorphinepatients finished detoxification successfully, in addition the buprenorphinepatients finished detoxification 1.62 days earlier. There was no significant difference concerning these items. CONCLUSION:Buprenorphine seems to be at least as effective as methadone for opioid withdrawal in young addicts.
Authors: Nat M J Wright; Laura Sheard; Clive E Adams; Bruno J Rushforth; Wendy Harrison; Nicole Bound; Roger Hart; Charlotte N E Tompkins Journal: Br J Gen Pract Date: 2011-12 Impact factor: 5.386