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Fipps DC, Oesterle TS, Kolla BP. Opioid Maintenance Therapy: A Review of Methadone, Buprenorphine, and Naltrexone Treatments for Opioid Use Disorder. Semin Neurol 2024; 44:441-451. [PMID: 38848746 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1787571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
The rates of opioid use and opioid related deaths are escalating in the United States. Despite this, evidence-based treatments for Opioid Use Disorder are underutilized. There are three medications FDA approved for treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: Methadone, Buprenorphine, and Naltrexone. This article reviews the history, criteria, and mechanisms associated with Opioid Use Disorder. Pertinent pharmacology considerations, treatment strategies, efficacy, safety, and challenges of Methadone, Buprenorphine, and Naltrexone are outlined. Lastly, a practical decision making algorithm is discussed to address pertinent psychiatric and medical comorbidities when prescribing pharmacology for Opioid Use Disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Fipps
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Tyler S Oesterle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Bhanu P Kolla
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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2
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Yan R, Kurz M, Guerra-Alejos BC, Min JE, Bach P, Greenland S, Gustafson P, Karim E, Korthuis PT, Loughin T, McCandless L, Platt RW, Schnepel K, Seaman S, Socías ME, Wood E, Xie H, Nosyk B. What is the ideal time to begin tapering opioid agonist treatment? A protocol for a retrospective population-based comparative effectiveness study in British Columbia, Canada. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e083453. [PMID: 38684262 PMCID: PMC11086281 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-083453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) tapering involves a gradual reduction in daily medication dose to ultimately reach a state of opioid abstinence. Due to the high risk of relapse and overdose after tapering, this practice is not recommended by clinical guidelines, however, clients may still request to taper off medication. The ideal time to initiate an OAT taper is not known. However, ethically, taper plans should acknowledge clients' preferences and autonomy but apply principles of shared informed decision-making regarding safety and efficacy. Linked population-level data capturing real-world tapering practices provide a valuable opportunity to improve existing evidence on when to contemplate starting an OAT taper. Our objective is to determine the comparative effectiveness of alternative times from OAT initiation at which a taper can be initiated, with a primary outcome of taper completion, as observed in clinical practice in British Columbia (BC), Canada. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We propose a population-level retrospective observational study with a linkage of eight provincial health administrative databases in BC, Canada (01 January 2010 to 17 March 2020). Our primary outcomes include taper completion and all-cause mortality during treatment. We propose a 'per-protocol' target trial to compare different durations to taper initiation on the likelihood of taper completion. A range of sensitivity analyses will be used to assess the heterogeneity and robustness of the results including assessment of effectiveness and safety. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The protocol, cohort creation and analysis plan have been classified and approved as a quality improvement initiative by Providence Health Care Research Ethics Board and the Simon Fraser University Office of Research Ethics. Results will be disseminated to local advocacy groups and decision-makers, national and international clinical guideline developers, presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals electronically and in print.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyu Yan
- Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Megan Kurz
- Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Jeong Eun Min
- Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Paxton Bach
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sander Greenland
- Department of Epidemiology and Department of Statistics, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Paul Gustafson
- Department of Statistics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ehsan Karim
- Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, UBC, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - P Todd Korthuis
- School of Public Health, OHSU, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Section of Addiction Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Tom Loughin
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lawrence McCandless
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Robert W Platt
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kevin Schnepel
- Department of Economics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - M Eugenia Socías
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Evan Wood
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Clinical Research, BC Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Hui Xie
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Bohdan Nosyk
- Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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Schwarz T, Anzenberger J, Busch M, Gmel G, Kraus L, Krausz M, Labhart F, Meyer M, Schaub MP, Westenberg JN, Uhl A. Opioid agonist treatment in transition: A cross-country comparison between Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 254:111036. [PMID: 38091902 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.111036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS OAT is a well developed and successful treatment strategy for opioid dependent patients in Europe. It has significantly contributed to the fight against the HIV and HCV pandemics, leading to an increased life expectancy in this population. Building on the OAT experiences in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland and their models of care, the objective of this study is to analyse experiences and changes in patient structures to identify necessary adaptations for the system of care. METHODS We analysed national register-based data from patients receiving OAT during the period spanning from 2010 to 2020 in Austria, Germany (cases), and Switzerland. We examined and compared OAT policies and practice at national levels through a review of literature and publicly available policy documents. RESULTS Across these three countries, the life expectancy of OAT patients increased substantially. The mean age increased from 33.0 in 2010 to 39.1 in 2020 in Austria, from 35.6 years to 41.5 years in Germany (cases), and from 39.6 to 47.1 in Switzerland, respectively. In all three countries, the percentage of patients/cases aged 60 years and older increased more than tenfold between 2010 and 2020. CONCLUSIONS Integrated support models, reliable care structures, internationally comparable high treatment coverage, flexible prescribing practices, and a wide range of available OAT medications are successful strategies. The experiences in these countries indicate that it is possible to address the complex and chronic nature of opioid dependence and its concurrent mental and physical health challenges, resulting in an increasing life expectancy of OAT patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Schwarz
- Gesundheit Österreich GmbH, Austrian National Public Health Institute, Vienna, Austria; Doctoral Programme Meduni Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, Vienna 1090, Austria.
| | - Judith Anzenberger
- Gesundheit Österreich GmbH, Austrian National Public Health Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Busch
- Gesundheit Österreich GmbH, Austrian National Public Health Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerhard Gmel
- Addiction Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland; Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ludwig Kraus
- IFT Institut für Therapieforschung, Mental Health and Addiction Research, Munich, Germany; Department of Public Health Sciences, Centre for Social Research on Alcohol and Drugs, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; Centre of Interdisciplinary Addiction Research (ZIS), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Krausz
- University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Florian Labhart
- Psychiatric University Clinic Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maximilian Meyer
- Psychiatric University Clinic Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael P Schaub
- Swiss Research Institute for Public Health and Addiction, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jean N Westenberg
- Addiction Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland; University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Alfred Uhl
- Gesundheit Österreich GmbH, Austrian National Public Health Institute, Vienna, Austria; Sigmund Freud University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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4
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Gordon AJ, Saxon AJ, Kertesz S, Wyse JJ, Manhapra A, Lin LA, Chen W, Hansen J, Pinnell D, Huynh T, Baylis JD, Cunningham FE, Ghitza UE, Bart G, Yu H, Sauer BC. Buprenorphine use and courses of care for opioid use disorder treatment within the Veterans Health Administration. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 248:109902. [PMID: 37196572 PMCID: PMC10875624 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retention of patients in buprenorphine medication treatment for opioid use disorder (B-MOUD) reduces harms associated with opioid use disorder (OUD). We sought to characterize the patients receiving B-MOUD and courses of B-MOUD in a large healthcare system. METHODS We conducted a retrospective, open cohort study of patients with OUD who either did or did not receive B-MOUD courses within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) from January 2006 through July 2019, using VHA clinical data. We compared patients receiving or not receiving B-MOUD, characterized B-MOUD courses (e.g., length and doses), and examined persistence, across patient characteristics, over time. We used analyses for normally or non-normally distributed continuous variables, categorical data, and persistence over time (Kaplan-Meier persistence curves). RESULTS We identified 255,726 Veterans with OUD; 40,431 (15.8%) had received 63,929 B-MOUD courses. Compared to patients with OUD without B-MOUD, patients with B-MOUD were younger, more often of white race, and had more co-morbidities. The frequency of new B-MOUD starts and prevalent B-MOUD patients ranged from 1550 and 1989 in 2007 to 8146 and 16,505 in 2018, respectively. The median duration of B-MOUD was 157 (IQR: 37-537) days for all courses and 33.8% patients had more than one course. The average proportion days covered was 90% (SD: 0.15), and the average prescribed daily dose was 13.44 (SD: 6.5). CONCLUSIONS Within a VHA B-MOUD cohort, courses increased more than 10-fold from 2006 to 2016 with nearly half of patients experiencing multiple courses. Patient demographics seem to dictate the length of courses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Gordon
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytics Science (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Andrew J Saxon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA; Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education (CESATE), VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Stefan Kertesz
- Birmingham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Birmingham, AL, USA; Department of Medicine, Heersink UAB School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jessica J Wyse
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health CareSystem, Portland, OR, USA; School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University,PortlandOR, USA
| | - Ajay Manhapra
- Section of Pain Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Services, Hampton VA Medical Center, Hampton, VA, USA
| | - Lewei A Lin
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research (CCMR), VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytics Science (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jared Hansen
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytics Science (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Derek Pinnell
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytics Science (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Tina Huynh
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytics Science (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jacob D Baylis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytics Science (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | - Udi E Ghitza
- Center for the Clinical Trials Network (CCTN), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gavin Bart
- Hennepin Healthcare, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Hong Yu
- Center for Biomedical and Health Research in Data Sciences and Miner School of Computer & Information Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA; Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Brian C Sauer
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytics Science (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Bozinoff N, Men S, Kurdyak P, Selby P, Gomes T. Prescribing Characteristics Associated With Opioid Overdose Following Buprenorphine Taper. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2234168. [PMID: 36173629 PMCID: PMC9523505 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.34168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Retention in buprenorphine therapy is associated with a lower risk of opioid overdose. Nevertheless, many patients discontinue treatment, and there is limited evidence to guide buprenorphine tapering. OBJECTIVE To understand what prescribing characteristics are associated with opioid overdose following buprenorphine taper. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This is a population-based, retrospective, cohort study of adults who were maintained on buprenorphine for at least 60 days and underwent a buprenorphine taper. The study was conducted in the Canadian province of Ontario, using linked administrative health data. New buprenorphine treatment episodes were accrued between January 1, 2013, and January 1, 2019, and the maximum follow-up was April 30, 2020. Data analysis was performed from December 2020 to August 2022. EXPOSURES The primary exposure of interest was time to taper initiation (≤1 year vs >1 year). Secondary exposures included mean rate of taper, percentage days during which the dose was decreasing, and taper duration. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome measure was time to fatal or nonfatal opioid overdose within 18 months following treatment discontinuation. RESULTS Among 5774 individuals, the median (IQR) age at index date was 34 (28-44) years, and 3462 individuals (60.0%) were male. Time to taper initiation longer than 1 year vs 1 year or less (6.73 vs 10.35 overdoses per 100 person-years; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.69; 95% CI, 0.48-0.997), a lower mean rate of taper (≤2 mg per month, 6.95 overdoses per 100 person-years; >2 to ≤4 mg per month, 11.48 overdoses per 100 person-years; >4 mg per month, 17.27 overdoses per 100 person-years; ≤2 mg per month vs >4 mg per month, aHR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.46-0.91; >2 to ≤4 mg per month vs >4 mg per month, aHR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.51-0.93), and dose decreases in 1.75% or less of days vs more than 3.50% of days during the taper period (5.87 vs 13.87 overdoses per 100 person-years; aHR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.43-0.93) were associated with reduced risk of opioid overdose; however, taper duration was not. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this retrospective cohort study, buprenorphine tapers undertaken after at least 1 year of therapy, a slower rate of taper, and a lower percentage of days during which the dose was decreasing were associated with a significantly lower risk of opioid overdose, regardless of taper duration. These findings underscore the importance of a carefully planned taper and could contribute to reduction in opioid-related overdose death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikki Bozinoff
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Paul Kurdyak
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter Selby
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tara Gomes
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
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Paul N, Kennedy AJ, Taubenberger S, Chang JC, Hacker K. Provider perceptions of medication for opioid used disorder (MOUD): A qualitative study in communities with high opioid overdose death rates. Subst Abus 2022; 43:742-748. [PMID: 35100094 PMCID: PMC10960355 DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2021.2007518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) has been shown to be a safe, cost-effective intervention that successfully lowers risk of opioid overdose. However, access to and use of MOUD has been limited. Our objective was to explore attitudes, opinions, and beliefs regarding MOUD among healthcare and social service providers in a community highly impacted by the opioid overdose epidemic. METHODS As part of a larger ethnographic study examining neighborhoods in Allegheny County, PA, with the highest opioid overdose death rates, semi-structured qualitative in-person and telephone interviews were conducted with forty-five providers treating persons with opioid use disorders in these communities. An open coding approach was used to code interview transcripts followed by thematic analysis. RESULTS Three major themes were identified related to MOUD from the perspectives of our provider participants. Within a variety of health and substance use service roles and settings, provider reflections revealed: (1) different opinions about MOUD as a transition to abstinence or as a long-term treatment; (2) perceived lack of uniformity and dissemination of accurate information of MOUD care, permitting differences in care, and (3) observed barriers to entry and navigation of MOUD, including referrals as a "word-of-mouth insider system" and challenges of getting patients MOUD services when they need it. CONCLUSIONS Even in communities hard hit by the opioid overdose epidemic, healthcare providers' disagreement about the standard of care for MOUD can be a relevant obstacle. These insights can inform efforts to improve MOUD treatment and access for people with opioid use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Paul
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Amy J. Kennedy
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Judy C. Chang
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Karen Hacker
- Centers for Disease Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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7
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Gunn CM, Maschke A, Harris M, Schoenberger SF, Sampath S, Walley AY, Bagley SM. Age-based preferences for risk communication in the fentanyl era: 'A lot of people keep seeing other people die and that's not enough for them'. Addiction 2021; 116:1495-1504. [PMID: 33119196 PMCID: PMC8081736 DOI: 10.1111/add.15305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To explore how people who use fentanyl and health-care providers engaged in and responded to overdose risk communication interactions, and how these engagements and responses might vary by age. DESIGN A single-site qualitative in-depth interview study. SETTING Boston, MA, United States. PARTICIPANTS The sample included 21 people (10 women, 11 men) who were either 18-25 or 35+, English-speaking, and reported illicit fentanyl use in the last year and 10 health-care providers who worked directly with people who use fentanyl (PWUF) in clinical and community settings. MEASUREMENTS Open-ended, flexible interview questions guided by a risk communication framework were used in all interviews. Codes used for thematic analysis included deductive codes related to the risk communication framework and inductive, emergent codes from interview content. FINDINGS We identified potential age-based differences in perceptions of fentanyl overdose, including that younger participants appeared to display more perceptions of an immunity to fentanyl's lethality, while older people seemed to express a stronger aversion to fentanyl due to its heightened risk of fatal overdose, shorter effects and potential for long-term health consequences. Providers perceived greater challenges relaying risk information to young PWUF and believed them to be less open to risk communication. Compassionate harm reduction communication was preferred by all participants and perceived to be delivered most effectively by community health workers and peers. PWUF and providers identified structural barriers that limited compassionate harm reduction, including misalignment of available treatment with preferred options and clinical structures that impeded the delivery of risk communication messages. CONCLUSIONS Among people who engage in illicit fentanyl use, fentanyl-related risk communication experiences and preferences may vary by age, but some foundational elements including compassionate, trust-building approaches seem to be preferred across the age spectrum. Structural barriers in the clinical setting such as provider-prescribing power and infrequent encounters may impede the providers' ability to provide compassionate harm reduction communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine M Gunn
- Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, Women's Health Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ariel Maschke
- Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, Women's Health Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Miriam Harris
- Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samantha F Schoenberger
- Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Alexander Y Walley
- Boston Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah M Bagley
- Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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8
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Becker WC, Krebs EE, Edmond SN, Lin LA, Sullivan MD, Weiss RD, Gordon AJ. A Research Agenda for Advancing Strategies to Improve Opioid Safety: Findings from a VHA State of the Art Conference. J Gen Intern Med 2020; 35:978-982. [PMID: 33145681 PMCID: PMC7728950 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-020-06260-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
US military Veterans have been disproportionately impacted by the US opioid overdose crisis. In the fall of 2019, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) convened a state-of-the-art (SOTA) conference to develop research priorities for advancing the science and clinical practice of opioid safety, including both use of opioid analgesics and managing opioid use disorder. We present the methods and consensus recommendations from the SOTA. A core group of researchers and VA clinical stakeholders defined three areas of focus for the SOTA: managing opioid use disorder, long-term opioid therapy for pain including consideration for opioid tapering, and treatment of co-occurring pain and substance use disorders. The SOTA participants divided into three workgroups and identified key questions and seminal studies related to those three areas of focus. The strongest recommendations included testing implementation strategies in the VHA for expanding access to medication treatment for opioid use disorder, testing collaborative tapering programs for patients prescribed long-term opioids, and larger trials of behavioral and exercise/movement interventions for pain among patients with substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C Becker
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities & Education Center of Innovation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Erin E Krebs
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Sara N Edmond
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities & Education Center of Innovation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lewei A Lin
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mark D Sullivan
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Roger D Weiss
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Adam J Gordon
- Vulnerable Veteran Innovative Patient Aligned Care Team Initiative; Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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9
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Feder R. Ten Years of Experience With Buprenorphine in a Private Psychiatric Outpatient Practice. Am J Addict 2020; 29:508-514. [DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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10
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Abstract
Buprenorphine has not only had an interdisciplinary impact on our understanding of key neuroscience topics like opioid pharmacology, pain signaling, and reward processing but has also been a key influence in changing the way that substance use disorders are approached in modern medical systems. From its leading role in expanding outpatient treatment of opioid use disorders to its continued influence on research into next-generation analgesics, buprenorphine has been a continuous player in the ever-evolving societal perception of opioids and substance use disorder. To provide a multifaceted account on the enormous diversity of areas where this molecule has made an impact, this article discusses buprenorphine's chemical properties, synthesis and development, pharmacology, adverse effects, manufacturing information, and historical place in the field of chemical neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian L. Kyzer
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Pharmacy, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
| | - Cody J. Wenthur
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Pharmacy, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
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Comer SD, Mannelli P, Alam D, Douaihy A, Nangia N, Akerman SC, Zavod A, Silverman BL, Sullivan MA. Transition of Patients with Opioid Use Disorder from Buprenorphine to Extended-Release Naltrexone: A Randomized Clinical Trial Assessing Two Transition Regimens. Am J Addict 2020; 29:313-322. [PMID: 32246728 PMCID: PMC7383475 DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective When patients seek to discontinue buprenorphine (BUP) treatment, monthly injectable extended‐release naltrexone (XR‐NTX) may help them avoid relapse. The efficacy of low ascending doses of oral NTX vs placebo for patients transitioning from BUP to XR‐NTX is evaluated in this study. Methods In a phase 3, hybrid residential/outpatient study, clinically stable participants with opioid use disorder (N = 101), receiving BUP for more than or equal to 3 months and seeking antagonist treatment, were randomized (1:1) to 7 residential days of descending doses of BUP and low ascending doses of oral NTX (NTX/BUP, n = 50) or placebo (PBO‐N/BUP, n = 51). Both groups received standing ancillary medications and psychoeducational counseling. Following negative naloxone challenge, participants received XR‐NTX (day 8). The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants who received and tolerated XR‐NTX. Results There was no statistical difference between groups for participants receiving a first dose of XR‐NTX: 68.6% (NTX/BUP) vs 76.0% (PBO‐N/BUP; P = .407). The mean number of days with peak Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) score less than or equal to 12 during the treatment period (days 1‐7) was similar for NTX/BUP and PBO‐N/BUP groups (5.8 vs 6.3; P = .511). Opioid withdrawal symptoms during XR‐NTX induction and post‐XR‐NTX observation period (days 8‐11) were mild and similar between groups (mean peak COWS score: NTX/BUP, 5.1 vs PBO‐N/BUP, 5.4; P = .464). Adverse events were mostly mild/moderate. Conclusions and Scientific Significance Low ascending doses of oral NTX did not increase induction rates onto XR‐NTX compared with placebo. The overall rate of successful induction across treatment groups supports a brief BUP taper with standing ancillary medications as a well‐tolerated approach for patients seeking transition from BUP to XR‐NTX. (Am J Addict 2020;00:00–00)
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra D Comer
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Paolo Mannelli
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Danesh Alam
- Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, Winfield, Illinois
| | - Antoine Douaihy
- Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine, Western Psychiatric Hospital, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | | | | | - Maria A Sullivan
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York.,Alkermes, Inc., Waltham, Massachusetts
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Oesterle TS, Kolla BP, Rummans TA, Gold MS. Medication-assisted therapies for opioid use disorders in patients with chronic pain. J Neurol Sci 2020; 411:116728. [PMID: 32092625 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2020.116728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Opioids have been used to treat pain and invoke pleasure for centuries. Modern scientific advancements have led to more potent, synthetic opioids. While certainly more effective in treating pain, they can also be much more addictive. Over the years the scientific community has developed a clearer understanding of the role opioid receptors play in causing and treating opioid use disorders (OUD) and we now know that OUD can develop in individuals taking opioids for "legitimate" pain. Current guidelines suggest that all prescribers (especially those prescribing opioids) be capable treating OUD. Pharmacological advances have led to a wide array of safe and effective treatment options to address OUDs. This paper will discuss the history of opioid development, what is known about the transition from analgesic uses to addiction and modern evidenced based treatment strategies to address OUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler S Oesterle
- Mayo Clinic - Rochester, Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, United States of America.
| | - Bhanu Prakash Kolla
- Mayo Clinic - Rochester, Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, United States of America
| | - Teresa A Rummans
- Mayo Clinic - Rochester, Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, United States of America
| | - Mark S Gold
- Washington University in St Louis, School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, United States of America
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13
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Oesterle TS, Thusius NJ, Rummans TA, Gold MS. Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid-Use Disorder. Mayo Clin Proc 2019; 94:2072-2086. [PMID: 31543255 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2019.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The United States is in the midst of a national opioid epidemic. Physicians are encouraged both to prevent and treat opioid-use disorders (OUDs). Although there are 3 Food and Drug Administration-approved medications to treat OUD (methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone) and there is ample evidence of their efficacy, they are not used as often as they should. We provide a brief review of the 3 primary medications used in the treatment of OUD. Using data from available medical literature, we synthesize existing knowledge and provide a framework for how to determine the optimal approach for outpatient management of OUD with medication-assisted treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler S Oesterle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
| | - Nuria J Thusius
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Teresa A Rummans
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
| | - Mark S Gold
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, and National Council, Washington University in St. Louis, Institute for Public Health, St. Louis, MO
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14
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Martin SA, Chiodo LM, Wilson A. Retention in care as a quality measure for opioid use disorder. Subst Abus 2019; 40:453-458. [DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2019.1635969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A. Martin
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Medical School and Barre Family Health Center, Barre, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lisa M. Chiodo
- College of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amanda Wilson
- Addiction Research and Education Foundation, Florence, Massachusetts, USA
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15
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Stein MD, Conti MT, Herman DS, Anderson BJ, Bailey GL, Noppen DV, Abrantes AM. Worries About Discontinuing Buprenorphine Treatment: Scale Development and Clinical Correlates. Am J Addict 2019; 28:270-276. [PMID: 30993833 DOI: 10.1111/ajad.12884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Despite the benefits of maintenance buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), many individuals report an interest in discontinuing the medication, while also expressing worries about tapering. The purpose of this study was to develop a measure of worries about buprenorphine discontinuation ("Off Bupe") and determine the demographic and clinical characteristics associated with these worries. METHODS Between May 2017 and May 2018, we surveyed adults in an outpatient primary care buprenorphine program (n = 138). Reliability and validity of the Off Bupe measure were examined. RESULTS Participants averaged 39 years of age, 54% were male, average duration of buprenorphine was 189 weeks and 85.5% reported eventually wanting to discontinue buprenorphine, although fewer than 10% were actively tapering. We derived two scales, withdrawal symptom worry (10 items, ɑ = 0.94) and relapse worry (7 items, ɑ = 0.88). Worry about symptoms was positively associated with current buprenorphine dose (P = 0.016), physical discomfort avoidance (P < 0.001), and inversely associated with self-efficacy to quit buprenorphine (P < 0.001) and distress tolerance (P < 0.001). Worry about opioid relapse was associated positively with age (P = 0.019), current buprenorphine dose (P = 0.004), physical discomfort avoidance (P < 0.001), and impulsivity (P = 0.002), and inversely associated with self-efficacy to quit buprenorphine (P < 0.001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Psychometric evaluation of the "Off Bupe" scale demonstrated its content and construct validity and internal reliability. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE The scale might help individuals with OUD and their providers identify concerns about discontinuing buprenorphine. (Am J Addict 2019;28:270-276).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Stein
- Department of Behavioral Medicine and Addictions Resaerch, Butler Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island.,Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Micah T Conti
- Department of Behavioral Medicine and Addictions Resaerch, Butler Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Debra S Herman
- Department of Behavioral Medicine and Addictions Resaerch, Butler Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island.,Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Bradley J Anderson
- Department of Behavioral Medicine and Addictions Resaerch, Butler Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Genie L Bailey
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.,Stanley Street Treatment and Resources, Inc, Fall River, Massachusetts
| | - Donnell Van Noppen
- Department of Behavioral Medicine and Addictions Resaerch, Butler Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Ana M Abrantes
- Department of Behavioral Medicine and Addictions Resaerch, Butler Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island.,Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
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