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Vu PD, Bansal V, Chitneni A, Robinson CL, Viswanath O, Urits I, Kaye AD, Nguyen A, Govindaraj R, Chen GH, Hasoon J. Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain Management: a Narrative Review. Curr Pain Headache Rep 2023; 27:811-820. [PMID: 37897592 DOI: 10.1007/s11916-023-01185-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim of this review is to educate healthcare professionals regarding buprenorphine for the use of opioid use disorder (OUD) as well as for chronic pain management. This review provides physicians and practitioners with updated information regarding the distinct characteristics and intricacies of prescribing buprenorphine. RECENT FINDINGS Buprenorphine is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for acute pain, chronic pain, opioid use disorder (OUD), and opioid dependence. When compared to most other opioids, buprenorphine offers superior patient tolerability, an excellent half-life, and minimal respiratory depression. Buprenorphine does have notable side effects as well as pharmacokinetic properties that require special attention, especially if patients require future surgical interventions. Many physicians are not trained to initiate or manage patients on buprenorphine. However, buprenorphine offers a potentially safer alternative for medication management for patients who require chronic opioid therapy for pain or have OUD. This review provides updated information on buprenorphine for both chronic pain and OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter D Vu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vishal Bansal
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ahish Chitneni
- Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital - Columbia and Cornell, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christopher L Robinson
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Omar Viswanath
- Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Ivan Urits
- Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Alan D Kaye
- Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Anvinh Nguyen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ranganathan Govindaraj
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Grant H Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jamal Hasoon
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, USA.
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Koller G, Schwarzer A, Halfter K, Soyka M. Pain management in opioid maintenance treatment. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2019; 20:1993-2005. [DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2019.1652270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gabi Koller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Schwarzer
- Department of Pain Medicine, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Kathrin Halfter
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University München, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Soyka
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Medical Park Chiemseeblick, Bernau, Germany
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Abstract
Opioid maintenance treatment is the first-line approach in opioid dependence. Both the full opioid agonist methadone (MET) and the partial agonist buprenorphine (BUP) are licensed for the treatment of opioid dependence. BUP differs significantly from MET in its pharmacology, side effects, and safety issues. For example, the risk of respiratory depression is lower than with MET. The risk of diversion and injection of BUP have been reduced by also making it available as a tablet containing the opioid antagonist naloxone. This review summarizes the clinical effects of BUP and examines possible factors that can support decisions regarding the use of BUP or MET in opioid-dependent people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Soyka
- Medical Park Chiemseeblick, Bernau, Germany; Psychiatric Hospital, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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Tetrault JM, Tate JP, Edelman EJ, Gordon AJ, Lo Re V, Lim JK, Rimland D, Goulet J, Crystal S, Gaither JR, Gibert CL, Rodriguez-Barradas MC, Fiellin LE, Bryant K, Justice AC, Fiellin DA. Hepatic Safety of Buprenorphine in HIV-Infected and Uninfected Patients With Opioid Use Disorder: The Role of HCV-Infection. J Subst Abuse Treat 2016; 68:62-7. [PMID: 27431048 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2016.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2015] [Revised: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Individuals with HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) infection, alcohol use disorder, or who are prescribed potentially hepatotoxic medications may be at increased risk for buprenorphine (BUP) associated hepatotoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS We examined a cohort of HIV-infected and uninfected patients receiving an initial BUP prescription between 2003 and 2012. We compared changes in alanine and aspartate aminotransferases (ALT and AST) and total bilirubin (TB) stratified by HIV status. We identified cases of liver enzyme elevation (LEE), TB elevation (TBE), and conducted chart review to assess for cases of drug induced liver injury (DILI) and death. We examined associations between age, sex, race, HIV-infection, HCV-infection, alcohol use disorder, and prescription of other potentially heptatotoxic medications with the composite endpoint of LEE, TBE, and DILI. RESULTS Of 666 patients prescribed BUP, 36% were HIV-infected, 98% were male, 60% had RNA-confirmed HCV infection, 50% had a recent diagnosis of alcohol use disorder, and 64% were prescribed other potentially hepatotoxic medications. No clinically significant changes were observed in median ALT, AST and TB and these changes did not differ between HIV-infected and uninfected patients. Compared with uninfected patients, HIV-infected (OR 7.3, 95% CI 2.1-26.1, p=0.002), HCV-infected (OR 4.9 95% CI 1.6-15.2, p=0.007) or HIV/HCV co-infected patients (OR 6.9, 95%CI 2.1-22.2, p=0.001) were more likely to have the composite endpoint of LEE, TB elevation or DILI, in analyses that excluded 60 patients with evidence of pre-existing liver injury. 31 patients had LEE, 14/187 HIV-infected and 17/340 uninfected (p=0.25); 11 had TBE, including 9/186 HIV-infected and 2/329 uninfected (p=0.002); 8 experienced DILI, 4/202 HIV-infected and 4/204 uninfected (p=0.45). There were no significant associations with alcohol use disorder or prescription of other potentially hepatotoxic medications after adjustment for HIV/HCV status. CONCLUSIONS Liver enzymes and TB are rarely elevated in HIV-infected and uninfected patients receiving BUP. Risk of hepatotoxicity was greater in individuals infected with HIV, HCV, or HIV/HCV co-infection, who may benefit from increased monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanette M Tetrault
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.
| | - Janet P Tate
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; VA Connecticut Health Care System, West Haven, CT
| | - E Jennifer Edelman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Adam J Gordon
- VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Vincent Lo Re
- University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Joseph K Lim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - David Rimland
- VA Medical Center, Atlanta, GA; Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Joseph Goulet
- VA Connecticut Health Care System, West Haven, CT; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Stephen Crystal
- Center for Health Services Research, Institute for Health, Rutgers University
| | - Julie R Gaither
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
| | - Cynthia L Gibert
- VA Medical Center Washington DC; George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC
| | | | - Lynn E Fiellin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Kendall Bryant
- National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD
| | - Amy C Justice
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; VA Connecticut Health Care System, West Haven, CT; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
| | - David A Fiellin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
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Soleimanpour H, Safari S, Shahsavari Nia K, Sanaie S, Alavian SM. Opioid Drugs in Patients With Liver Disease: A Systematic Review. HEPATITIS MONTHLY 2016; 16:e32636. [PMID: 27257423 PMCID: PMC4887963 DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon.32636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Revised: 12/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The liver, one of the most important organs of the body, is known to be responsible for several functions. The functional contribution of the liver to the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein, drugs and toxins, fats and cholesterol and many other biological processes are still unknown. Liver disorders are classified into two types: acute and chronic. Different drugs are used in liver diseases to treat and control pain. Most pain relief medications such as opioids are metabolized via the liver; therefore, the adverse reactions of drugs are probably higher for patients with liver disease. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of opioid drugs on patients with liver disease; therefore, it is necessary to select suitable opioids for such patients. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION This review was written by referring to research literature including 70 articles and four textbooks published from 1958 to 2015 on various reputable sites. Searches were carried out on the key phrases of narcotic pain relievers (opioids), acute and chronic hepatic failure, opioid adverse drug reactions, drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and other similar keywords. References included a variety of research papers (descriptive and analytical), intervention and review articles. RESULTS In patients with liver disease, administration of opioid analgesics should be observed, accurately. As a general rule, lower doses of drugs should be administered at regular intervals based on the signs of drug accumulation. Secondly, the interactions of opioid drugs with different levels of substrates of the P450 cytochrome enzyme should be considered. CONCLUSIONS Pain management in patients with liver dysfunction is always challenging to physicians because of the adverse reactions of drugs, especially opioids. Opioids should be used cautiously since they can cause sedation, constipation and sudden encephalopathy effects. Since the clearance of these drugs in patients with hepatic insufficiency is decreased, the initial dose must be decreased, the intervals between doses should be increased and some patients need to be continuously assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Soleimanpour
- Road Traffic Injury Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran
| | - Saeid Safari
- Pain Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
| | - Kavous Shahsavari Nia
- Emergency Medicine Research Team, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran
| | - Sarvin Sanaie
- Tuberculosis and Lung Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran
| | - Seyed Moayed Alavian
- Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
- Tehran Hepatitis Center, Tehran, IR Iran
- Corresponding Author: Seyed Moayed Alavian, Baghiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Baghiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran. Tel: +98-2181262072, Fax: +98-2181262072, E-mail:
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Abstract
This paper is the thirty-seventh consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2014 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior (endogenous opioids and receptors), and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia (pain and analgesia); stress and social status (human studies); tolerance and dependence (opioid mediation of other analgesic responses); learning and memory (stress and social status); eating and drinking (stress-induced analgesia); alcohol and drugs of abuse (emotional responses in opioid-mediated behaviors); sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (opioid involvement in stress response regulation); mental illness and mood (tolerance and dependence); seizures and neurologic disorders (learning and memory); electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (opiates and conditioned place preferences (CPP)); general activity and locomotion (eating and drinking); gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (alcohol and drugs of abuse); cardiovascular responses (opiates and ethanol); respiration and thermoregulation (opiates and THC); and immunological responses (opiates and stimulants). This paper is the thirty-seventh consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2014 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior (endogenous opioids and receptors), and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia (pain and analgesia); stress and social status (human studies); tolerance and dependence (opioid mediation of other analgesic responses); learning and memory (stress and social status); eating and drinking (stress-induced analgesia); alcohol and drugs of abuse (emotional responses in opioid-mediated behaviors); sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (opioid involvement in stress response regulation); mental illness and mood (tolerance and dependence); seizures and neurologic disorders (learning and memory); electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (opiates and conditioned place preferences (CPP)); general activity and locomotion (eating and drinking); gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (alcohol and drugs of abuse); cardiovascular responses (opiates and ethanol); respiration and thermoregulation (opiates and THC); and immunological responses (opiates and stimulants).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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Soyka M. New developments in the management of opioid dependence: focus on sublingual buprenorphine-naloxone. Subst Abuse Rehabil 2015; 6:1-14. [PMID: 25610012 PMCID: PMC4293937 DOI: 10.2147/sar.s45585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid maintenance therapy is a well-established first-line treatment approach in opioid dependence. Buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, has been found by numerous studies to be an effective and safe medication in the treatment of opioid dependence. At present, buprenorphine is available as a monodrug or in a fixed 4:1 ratio combination with naloxone. A diminished risk of diversion and abuse for the buprenorphine-naloxone combination is likely but not firmly established. Conventional formulations are given sublingually to avoid the hepatic first-pass effect. A novel film tablet is available only in the US and Australia. Other novel, sustained-release formulations (implant, depot) are currently being developed and tested. Recent studies, including a Cochrane meta-analysis, suggest that the retention with buprenorphine is lower than for methadone, but that buprenorphine may be associated with less drug use. Higher doses of buprenorphine are associated with better retention rates. Buprenorphine has a ceiling effect at the opioid receptor with regard to respiratory depression, and may cause fewer fatal intoxications than methadone. Possible antidepressant effects of buprenorphine and its use in comorbid psychiatric patients has not been studied in much detail. Clinical implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Soyka
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
- Private Hospital Meiringen, Meiringen, Switzerland
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Soyka M. Alcohol use disorders in opioid maintenance therapy: prevalence, clinical correlates and treatment. Eur Addict Res 2015; 21:78-87. [PMID: 25413371 DOI: 10.1159/000363232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Maintenance therapy with methadone or buprenorphine is an established and first-line treatment for opioid dependence. Clinical studies indicate that about a third of patients in opioid maintenance therapy show increased alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorders. Comorbid alcohol use disorders have been identified as a risk factor for clinical outcome and can cause poor physical and mental health, including liver disorders, noncompliance, social deterioration and increased mortality risk. The effects of opioid maintenance therapy on alcohol consumption are controversial and no clear pattern has emerged. Most studies have not found a change in alcohol use after initiation of maintenance therapy. Methadone and buprenorphine appear to carry little risk of liver toxicity, but further research on this topic is required. Recent data indicate that brief intervention strategies may help reduce alcohol intake, but the existing evidence is still limited. This review discusses further clinical implications of alcohol use disorders in opioid dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Soyka
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany; Private Hospital Meiringen, Willigen, Meiringen, Switzerland
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