Ori-Michael Benhamou1,2,3, Sean Lynch1,2, Lidia Klepacz1,2. 1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York. 2. Department of Psychiatry, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York. 3. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Addiction Medicine, Stanford Medicine, Stanford, California.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Buprenorphine is commonly used to manage opioid use disorder; however, the literature describes its potential role in treating treatment-resistant depression. METHODS: We present a patient with bipolar disorder and opioid use disorder, who presented status post-suicide attempt. RESULTS: After initiating buprenorphine-naloxone, the patient reported rapid improvement in depressive symptoms, pain, and suicidal ideation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates buprenorphine's antisuicidal and mood-stabilizing capabilities, potentially via antagonizing κ-opioid receptors as well as reinstating the balance between reward and antireward circuitry. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: This case highlights buprenorphine-naloxone as a treatment for both treatment-resistant depression and opioid use disorder, as well as buprenorphine's rapid antidepressant, analgesic, and antisuicidal effects. (Am J Addict 2021;30:80-82).
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Buprenorphine is commonly used to manage opioid use disorder; however, the literature describes its potential role in treating treatment-resistant depression. METHODS: We present a patient with bipolar disorder and opioid use disorder, who presented status post-suicide attempt. RESULTS: After initiating buprenorphine-naloxone, the patient reported rapid improvement in depressive symptoms, pain, and suicidal ideation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates buprenorphine's antisuicidal and mood-stabilizing capabilities, potentially via antagonizing κ-opioid receptors as well as reinstating the balance between reward and antireward circuitry. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: This case highlights buprenorphine-naloxone as a treatment for both treatment-resistant depression and opioid use disorder, as well as buprenorphine's rapid antidepressant, analgesic, and antisuicidal effects. (Am J Addict 2021;30:80-82).
Authors: Courtney M Cameron; Steven Nieto; Lucienne Bosler; Megan Wong; Isabel Bishop; Larissa Mooney; Catherine M Cahill Journal: Adv Drug Alcohol Res Date: 2021-08-03