Posted by Elizabeth on August 10, 2001, at 16:32:45
In reply to Re: buprenorphine » desertflower, posted by jojo on August 9, 2001, at 23:48:41
> I don't think that there must be bad news here. It is perfectly legal for a physician here in the U.S. to prescribe buprenorphine for depression, or actually any reason the physician sees fit, with the exception of opioid addiction withdrawal.
That's true, but finding a doctor who's willing to do it -- particularly if the person has been in maintenance treatment for opioid dependence -- is not trivial.
> Your husband might possibly fit into some category other than opioid withdrawal.
That seems like the best way to approach it, although I can see it being questioned if it came to the attention of the authorities.
> The only published reference that I have seen regarding its use as an antidepressant was a reference on this board.
The two main references on the subject are
(1) a small, open-label study:
Buprenorphine treatment of refractory depression. Bodkin JA, Zornberg GL, Lukas SE, Cole JO. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1995 Feb;15(1):49-57.and (2) the letter to the editor you mentioned:
Buprenorphine for depression: the un-adoptable orphan. Callaway E. Biol Psychiatry. 1996 Jun 15;39(12):989-90.Some articles discuss the antidepressant effects of buprenorphine in dually-diagnosed addicts; for example:
Buprenorphine responders: a diagnostic subgroup of heroin addicts? Resnick RB, Resnick E, Galanter M. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 1991;15(4):531-8.
Buprenorphine responders. Mongan L, Callaway E. Biol Psychiatry. 1990 Dec 15;28(12):1078-80.
(can be read online at http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/9740/buprespond.html)There are also some other references regarding the use of opioids other than buprenorphine as antidepressants.
Desertflower, I hope that the rumour that SL buprenorphine will be available in the USA next year is true. It would sure make my life a lot easier.
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:74353
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010809/msgs/74516.html