Posted by MB on February 15, 2004, at 13:12:03
In reply to Re: Buprenorphine side affects, posted by Lindsay Rae on January 31, 2004, at 23:16:51
> Buprenorphine is a partial agonist and is only available in the US as Suboxone, which contains a small amount of Naltrexone.
Both Subutex and Suboxone are available in the US. Subutex (straight bupe) is recommended for initial, inpatient detox, while Suboxone is recommended for maintenance. Suboxone containes bupe + naloxone (Narcan), not naltrexone (Revia). When taken sublingually the effects of the Narcan are minimal, but if the tabs are crushed to be injected, the Narcan *is* effective, and will prevent the user from feeling the effects of the buprenorphine. So Suboxone is safer to use in an outpatient basis (less abuse potential). Don't forget that buprenorphine is also used as a painkiller. It is an injectable named Buprenex, and it IS NOT approved for use in detoxing addicts. Although, about ten years ago, a treatment center called Azure Acres in California gave me sublingual Buprenex (off lable) to detox me from heroin. I don't think the DEA would have had a problem with this, as back then, buprenorphine was only a C-V narcotic. It's now been moved up to a C-III narcotic. I guess that since it's been officially approved to treat addicts, the DEA wants tighter control. The schedule change was made THE SAME DAY that buprenorphine was approved to treat addicts. Not a coincidence.
MB
Try this link:
poster:MB
thread:306607
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20040130/msgs/313609.html