High Hopes for Buprenorphine August 12, 2003
News Summary
The new federally approved anti-opiate drug buprenorphine is showing promising results as an effective alternative to methadone in treating individuals addicted to heroin, the New York Times reported Aug. 11.Alex, 34, says buprenorphine has helped him build a new life. He switched from methadone to the new drug three months ago. "I'm more clear-headed than I've been in years," the New York resident said. "I feel better physically. For the first time in a long time, I can see myself getting off everything in a way that's not going to rip a hole in my life and leave me only partially functioning."
Experts and addicted individuals say buprenorphine offers several advantages over methadone. Among them is the ability of the patient to receive a supply, not just a single dose as with methadone, from a doctor or pharmacy.
In addition, the risk of overdose from buprenorphine is much lower than methadone. Furthermore, patients have fewer side effects and milder withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the drug.
"My hope and my expectation is that buprenorphine will revolutionize heroin treatment in the United States," said Dr. Herbert D. Kleber, a professor at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons and an expert on opiate addiction.
New York City's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has been encouraging doctors to prescribe buprenorphine. "We're looking at being able to increase the number of people in treatment to 100,000 by 2010," said Dr. Lloyd I. Sederer, executive deputy commissioner for mental hygiene.
For many years, buprenorphine has been used as a painkiller. In October 2002, the Food and Drug Administration approved the drug for addiction treatment.
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