More than 50% of patients treated with methadone or buprenorphine drop out of treatment, mostly with lower than recommended doses, a recent study conducted in Canada has found. For the study, records of patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) who were treated with methadone (73.9% of patients), buprenorphine (24.7%) or slow-release morphine (1.4%) (legal in Canada) were … [Read more...] about Dropouts due to Inadequate Dosing: Greater than 50% of Patients
2022
FDA: Tell your Dentist if you take Buprenorphine
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 12 said it will require a warning about possible dental problems caused by dissolving buprenorphine in the mouth – the main route of administration for the opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment medication. The dental problems include tooth decay, cavities, oral infections, and tooth loss. This does not mean patients should … [Read more...] about FDA: Tell your Dentist if you take Buprenorphine
Obituary: Richard Saitz, M.D., M.P.H.
Richard Saitz, M.D., M.P.H., internationally and locally respected in alcohol and drug addiction research, died January 15 from pancreatic cancer. Dr. Saitz, who changed the treatment of alcohol withdrawal and whose commitment to his patients was well known, was also a beloved mentor to up and coming addiction scholars and clinicians. Dr. Saitz was professor of medicine at … [Read more...] about Obituary: Richard Saitz, M.D., M.P.H.
Two Studies Look at Effects of Relaxed COVID-19 Restrictions on OTPs—and Come Up With Different Answers
“No Home to Take Methadone to,” a story recently published on this website, investigated the effects of relaxed COVID-19 restrictions on opioid treatment programs (OTPs). That story shows it’s essential to listen to what patients, not just providers, say about patients’ treatment experiences. It also shows that most participants found their experience with addiction service … [Read more...] about Two Studies Look at Effects of Relaxed COVID-19 Restrictions on OTPs—and Come Up With Different Answers
Federal Government Announces First-Ever Harm Reduction Grants
The end of last year marked the first-ever announcement of federal grants for harm reduction -- $30 million to be spent on programs which distribute naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and syringe services. No illegal services – such as “overdose prevention sites,” “safe injection sites,” or any similar sites which allow people to bring in illegal drugs and inject them there – will … [Read more...] about Federal Government Announces First-Ever Harm Reduction Grants
