Concern in Wisconsin over Suboxone-Related Deaths

Concern in Wisconsin over Suboxone-Related Deaths
April 7, 2009

News Summary

The recent Suboxone-related deaths of two Milwaukee-area residents has drawn negative attention to federal rules that allow patients to use the buprenorphine-based drug at home, the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel reported April 2.

Some local officials blame wider availability of the drug for increasing the risk of abuse by recreational users. Milwaukee police said they saw evidence of illicit trafficking of Suboxone even before it was linked to the overdose deaths of teenager Madison Kiefer and college student Luke David Murphy.

Chuck Wood of the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department said informants noted that a street market for the drug has developed because recreational users have found a way to use Suboxone to get high. Suboxone was specifically designed to limit abuse potential by including the opiate antagonist naloxone in the formulation. "It was going to be so controlled," Wood said. "Now we're seeing it out in the community."

An official with the federal Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) said the overdose deaths seem to be the tragic results of abuse rather than any inherent danger in Suboxone. "Suboxone is a very safe drug," said Robert Lubran, SAMHSA's director of pharmacologic therapies. "There's a reason why they're controlled substances -- because they're abusable."

"It really does its job well," said Jim Aker, a counselor at ProHealth Care, a program in Waukesha that has used Suboxone to treat 140 recovering addicts during the past two years.

Police believe that the two overdose deaths were the result of ingesting Suboxone along with other substances; some users incorrectly believe that Suboxone mitigates the effects of other drugs. Tim Baxter, medical director of Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc., said Suboxone alone cannot trigger a fatal overdose. But he said it has been linked to 15 deaths nationally when combined with alcohol or other drugs.

Baxter said abuse has been tapering off, as drug users discover Suboxone's limited potential for intoxication. "Some kids will decide, 'Oh, this sounds like fun, we'll have a go,'" Baxter said. "They may try it once, but they go on to something else."

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by karen on 08 Apr 09 08:53 AM EDT

Are we getting misinformation about a relatively new product on the market?,"...we'll have a go"...right to the Suboxone clinic for a substitute...what doesn't Suboxone mix with for starters Mr. Baxter?

Posted by karen on 08 Apr 09 09:09 AM EDT

with ALL that was broadcast about the death of Anna Nicole's son i only heard 1 small report by the ?coroner that it was a fatal mix of methadone and prozac...who would know?

Posted by Heidi on 08 Apr 09 10:36 AM EDT

As an AODA Counselor in the Milwaukee area I currently work with Suboxone patients. I explain to all of my pateints what they shouldn't use while on Suboxone. They are in treatment and shouldn't take any mood altering chemicals especially alcohol, other opiates and sedative and that is can be lethal. I will use celerbrity and local deaths as examples and hope thay make good decisions. That is not always the case.

Posted by Terrance Newton on 08 Apr 09 02:46 PM EDT

Just what we need, sensationalized reporting here. How many deaths can be contributed to Purdue Pharma's fiasco with the marketing of OxyContin as a safe, minimally addictive medication? Here, we have two deaths and, it's presented as irresponsible addict's being given the chance to take this medication home, as the main contributing factor in their deaths. Next, we'll have lawmakers restrict addicts in getting a life saving medication that is already heavily restricted. A prime example of government interference in practicing addiction medicine has been the restrictions and governmental controls placed on opiate replacement therapy with the use of methadone. "Let's work on not helping a new generation of addicts," seems to be the mantra.

Posted by Don on 08 Apr 09 11:43 PM EDT

Benzodiazepines. That is the answer you are looking for, karen. Buprenorphine is only a partial agonist, which means that attempting to take more than 32 mg of the drug will not increase it's effect. Deaths related to the consumption of Suboxone have the use of benzodiazepines in common. Benzos with almost any other drug of abuse are incredibly dangerous.

Posted by shel on 10 Apr 09 05:32 PM EDT

I find it very hard to believe that it was Suboxone alone that caused these deaths.Any of these do gooders that come along need to realize that no matter what the drug is- somehow it will always get into the wrong hands because people sell their meds, but the harder you make it to get meds- the less people will be seeking treatment.I say impose strict penalties on people selling medication and let the rest of the addicts get the help they desire.

Posted by Paul Bowman on 12 Apr 09 05:30 AM EDT

I have a major problem with suboxone that thank god that only a few of us know about this, Suboxone when crushed does little or nothing to stop the bupernorphine from being active, Who did this research that says it causes it not to work. If that were true, why does NARCAN not work if someone is in a state of over use. Now I hear Reckett wants to put on the market a strip the would be absorbed under the tongue, Did they know that eventually people would find out that they can shoot subutex and suboxone. I would like to see a investigation on the research of suboxone being safer when injected, because its not true. How could we think it would work when the science does not make sense. I think its time Reckett benckiser starts telling the truth about the safety of suboxone. I am thinking that we need to look a lot harder at any of their research. This is outrageous. We paid them to develop it and the are charging a patient a lot of money and just when it time to go generic they have another formulation ready to go. Paul Bowman Suboxone advocate New England

Posted by Marge on 12 Apr 09 08:39 AM EDT

The local Officials need to quit blaming the Suboxone Medication and start blaming the young adults who use it inappropriately. The medication has helped a lot of people in recovery and when used under a doctors suppervision is no more harmful than any other medication. IF USED IMPROPERLY like it was in the instances of these deaths, anything could happen. "BLAME THE ADDICTS, WHO USED IT WRONG" "NOT THE MEDICATION"

Posted by Chris on 13 Apr 09 06:26 PM EDT

As a Suboxone user, I just came in contact with a Sub Drug Rep and Her boss, I was told that my Suboxone should have been tapered 2 years ago. I was only on opiates for 2 years prior to kicking. I developed a physical dependency as a result of surgery. Why is Reckitt NOT teaching the DR.s how to taper correctly? $$? Of course, its big pharma.

Posted by Paul Bowman on 13 Apr 09 08:24 PM EDT

Massachusetts is very lucky that we have 20 programs that are being assisted by the DPH bureau of substance abuse services. Now with this program they ensure best practices are being used and the patients has a treatment plan that is individualized, How are we going to get the other primary care doctors to have the skills to do this. I think that suboxone being treated in primary care sounded good but i yet see a model that works and does not become all suboxone. We need to figure out how we can do a better job for patients who are not being treated for opioid dependence and have it covered by insurance, stay away from all cash doctors and find out wear the health center who has a contract to have 100 patients per clinic.. I think maybe 10 patients from 10 doctors could coordinate docs that can not afford to spend the time to do the rest of the work around the treatment issues. I think we could arract more mds into practice.

Posted by Suboxone Nick on 20 Apr 09 12:14 PM EDT

Anyone who knows anything KNOWS that suboxone, by itself, CANNOT CAUSE DEATH OR OVERDOSE!!! Buprenorphine DOES NOT cause respiratory depression, no matter how much you take. The reporter here is obviously trying to sensationalize things. Would it be so hard to find out what OTHER chemicals these two people were taking besides suboxone that lead to their deaths and include it in this article? I'll bet you my life savings that they either mixed it with benzos or alcohol, or both -- and that in itself is just stupid. Do not blame suboxone for the stupidity of a few people.

Posted by Suboxone Nick on 20 Apr 09 12:19 PM EDT

Also, to clarify things, the Naloxone present in Suboxone does nothing to prevent IV use of the pill. Buprenorphine has a higher binding affinity than naloxone does...so it's unlikely that a large amount of the naloxone will hit your opiate receptors..the bupe overpowers it.

Posted by Dennis on 22 Apr 09 09:49 AM EDT

To me this whole world has problems with drugs. Heck TV promote drugs everyday and say just ask your doc if it right for you. The side effects to me are unbelievable but because the drug companys make billions a year to fun there research on these and more drugs made daily. We don't need this stop making the public self doctoring or medicating. People never hear what's important just that it could help. But when it don't most rush out find a lawyer and sue. We as a people have so little reguard fo life that we allow these big drug companies to this to us. Our so called govermentget there pockets lined so they look the other way. We don't complain tell this type of thing happens then OH MY GOD who do we blaim? We should be blaiming us we as a people aloww these greedy companies and our goverment REP. to let it go on. Stop the adds and the drug pushers the big companies and our goverment form allowing it. Then maybe these types of things will end.

Posted by George Clarke on 25 Apr 09 03:20 PM EDT

Oce a patient is given instructions for Suboxone it is up to that patient to only use it as directed and to keep it safe. If it is diverted, and a tragedy happens because of mixing it with alcohol and/or other medications, that is the problem with the abuser who is using it without knowledge. A death as the result of taking a drug outside of a prescription and the warnings, it the responsibility of that person. George

Posted by Dan on 11 May 09 12:45 AM EDT

The government should stop approving drugs to treat drug addicts. All it is is another fix for these people and it keeps them from making the changes they need to make to live sober. Many clinics don't even require counseling. I'm an ex-heroin addict and most of the people I knew in these programs continued to struggle on the program and went right back afterwards. The ones who went to real detox and rehab are the ones I still hang out with today, because they are still alive and clean.

Posted by Mark Stanton on 06 Jun 09 05:16 PM EDT

I agree completely, Nick, that one cannot OD on suboxone. Benzodiazepines, which are the likely culprit, are lethal when combined with virtually any drug of abuse, including and especially with alcohol. However I differ with you on the effects of injecting suboxone. It puts a person into immediate withdrawal- doesn't last more than 30 mintues or so, but it is SEVERE and I can't imagine anyone would ever do it more than once. IV subutex is a different story.....

Posted by PortWashingtonNick on 24 Jun 09 08:19 PM EDT

It's people like this that are ruining it for people like me who really need the medication and use it only for my self as directed by a doctor I couldn't imagine selling my suboxone to any one I need it and it's just stupid to do that kind of thing. I was addicted to opiates for 5 years I had my own place a job and money and I lost control and opiates ran my life. Until I heard about suboxone and was prescribed to it.. The pill is a miracle and it is not my fault uneducated people dable in drugs they shouldn't any ways.

Posted by debra on 30 Jul 09 07:26 PM EDT

I'M A MOTHER OF A SON WHO DIED FROM SUBOXONE... THE DEALER WHO GIVE HIM THE DRUG TOLD HIM IT WAS A PAIN KILLER.. THIS IS A VERY WICKED DRUG.. BUT IS SCHEDULED AS A 111 DRUG.. THIS DRUG NEEDS TO BE A SCHEDULED 1 DRUG.. IT HAS TAKEN MANY LIVES. I KNOW THE PAIN IT HAS CAUSED MYSELF AND THE REST OF MY FAMILY..

Posted by RJ's Mom on 13 Aug 09 04:31 PM EDT

My 17 year old son died last summer. If you take anything and suboxone you can die. How many other drugs interact like that? Standard autopsies do not test for suboxone so how does anyone know how many deaths result from this drug?

Posted by Jessie on 17 Sep 09 02:10 PM EDT

People who are prescribed the suboxone have the responsibility to not sell or give their meds to anyone. People who are not prescribed suboxone should not take it. It is quite simple, yet now we have a lot of people who are blaming suboxone and the drug companies for the deaths of people who didn't think twice about putting an unknown substance in their body? And to mix the unknown substance with another nonetheless? Suboxone has saved many lives. And as for those who think that subs are just another "fix" for the junkies, think again. You do not get high from the suboxone. At least I don't, and I have been doing very well this past year. And I had a ridiculous heroin habbit. All the suboxone really does is reduces cravings and eases withdrawl symptoms.

Posted by shes2spooky on 28 Nov 09 01:28 PM EST

As they said ...theres a reason they are called controlled substances! Almost anything can be misused and cause health problems and or death. Drugs like this could really help the epidemic of addiction in our country , but with people beginning to misuse it etc. this could be taken away from the people who truely need it. Its just such a shame.

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