Date of Award
Spring 2022
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)
Department
Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences
First Advisor
Stephanie Pillai, PA-C
Abstract
Per the CDC, there were 91,799 drug overdose deaths, of which 75% of these deaths involved an opioid in 2020. Furthermore, the rate of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids (excluding methadone) increased 56% from 2019 to 2020. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl and its derivatives are easily producible, very inexpensive, and have extremely high potency. To effectively reduce use of illicit opioids, the underlying addiction disorder must be recognized first to adequately treat the disease. Treatment for opioid addiction is critical due to the high risk of mortality and significant disruption to daily functioning. Medication-assisted treatment couples medication use with counseling/therapy, is the most effective treatment for OUD and is considered first-line. Methadone has long been the medication of choice; however, buprenorphine became an alternative treatment option offering more flexible dosing schedules in the early 21st century.
Recommended Citation
Dise, Kevin, "The Use of Buprenorphine in the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)" (2022). Capstone Showcase. 99.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2022/pa/99
Included in
The Use of Buprenorphine in the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)
Per the CDC, there were 91,799 drug overdose deaths, of which 75% of these deaths involved an opioid in 2020. Furthermore, the rate of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids (excluding methadone) increased 56% from 2019 to 2020. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl and its derivatives are easily producible, very inexpensive, and have extremely high potency. To effectively reduce use of illicit opioids, the underlying addiction disorder must be recognized first to adequately treat the disease. Treatment for opioid addiction is critical due to the high risk of mortality and significant disruption to daily functioning. Medication-assisted treatment couples medication use with counseling/therapy, is the most effective treatment for OUD and is considered first-line. Methadone has long been the medication of choice; however, buprenorphine became an alternative treatment option offering more flexible dosing schedules in the early 21st century.