Efficacy of treatment with buprenorphine, compared to methadone, in remission of opioid use disorder
Date of Award
Spring 2021
Degree Name
Other
Physician Assistant
Department
Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences
First Advisor
Torianne Yetter
Abstract
Introduction:. Over the last decade, there has been a significant rise in deaths due to drug overdoses involving opioids. Opioids are highly addictive due to the rewarding effects they produce in the brain and body. Methadone is broadly used as a substitution for illicit opioid use for individuals with opioid use disorder. Methadone is a synthetic opioid that works by binding to the same receptor as other opioids and reduces the symptoms associated with opiate withdrawal. Buprenorphine, on the other hand, mimics the euphoric effects of opiates. Buprenorphine is less likely to be abused due to the low ceiling of the drug's euphoric effect. There are different benefits and risks associated with each drug. Therefore, this review analyzes the efficacy of treatment with buprenorphine, compared to methadone, in remission of opioid use disorder.
Methods: A literature search was completed through PubMed and Academic Search Ultimate in November 2019. A total of seven articles consisting of randomized control trials, secondary analyses of randomized control trials, and qualitative analyses were selected based on their publication date, intervention technique, outcome measurements, and sample population. The study design and results of these articles were then analyzed and compared.
Results: This literature review revealed inconclusive evidence. As of now, evidence shows that methadone has an increased retention time in treatment, however, there is no evidence that either buprenorphine or methadone is more effective in overall reduction of opioid use.
Discussion: Four of the seven studies found methadone to be significantly more effective in increasing treatment retention times. Four of the seven studies also found that between the two treatment options, there was no significant reduction in opioid use in general. These results indicate that since neither drug is more effective in the reduction of opioid usage, there may be other social determinants influencing time retained in treatment.
Conclusion: Buprenorphine and methadone have both been prescribed as treatment of opioid withdrawal, but little evidence has been conducted to evaluate which drug is more beneficial. Research, as of today, has shown methadone increases time maintained in treatment, but not an overall significant decrease in opioid reduction. Future research is necessary to determine what other factors are influencing the differences in treatment retention.
Recommended Citation
Cibelli, Michael, "Efficacy of treatment with buprenorphine, compared to methadone, in remission of opioid use disorder" (2021). Capstone Showcase. 45.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2021/pa/45
Efficacy of treatment with buprenorphine, compared to methadone, in remission of opioid use disorder
Introduction:. Over the last decade, there has been a significant rise in deaths due to drug overdoses involving opioids. Opioids are highly addictive due to the rewarding effects they produce in the brain and body. Methadone is broadly used as a substitution for illicit opioid use for individuals with opioid use disorder. Methadone is a synthetic opioid that works by binding to the same receptor as other opioids and reduces the symptoms associated with opiate withdrawal. Buprenorphine, on the other hand, mimics the euphoric effects of opiates. Buprenorphine is less likely to be abused due to the low ceiling of the drug's euphoric effect. There are different benefits and risks associated with each drug. Therefore, this review analyzes the efficacy of treatment with buprenorphine, compared to methadone, in remission of opioid use disorder.
Methods: A literature search was completed through PubMed and Academic Search Ultimate in November 2019. A total of seven articles consisting of randomized control trials, secondary analyses of randomized control trials, and qualitative analyses were selected based on their publication date, intervention technique, outcome measurements, and sample population. The study design and results of these articles were then analyzed and compared.
Results: This literature review revealed inconclusive evidence. As of now, evidence shows that methadone has an increased retention time in treatment, however, there is no evidence that either buprenorphine or methadone is more effective in overall reduction of opioid use.
Discussion: Four of the seven studies found methadone to be significantly more effective in increasing treatment retention times. Four of the seven studies also found that between the two treatment options, there was no significant reduction in opioid use in general. These results indicate that since neither drug is more effective in the reduction of opioid usage, there may be other social determinants influencing time retained in treatment.
Conclusion: Buprenorphine and methadone have both been prescribed as treatment of opioid withdrawal, but little evidence has been conducted to evaluate which drug is more beneficial. Research, as of today, has shown methadone increases time maintained in treatment, but not an overall significant decrease in opioid reduction. Future research is necessary to determine what other factors are influencing the differences in treatment retention.