Buprenorphine Band Wagon

Do you know David Cisewski?  He’s incredible and he’s written an incredible review on buprenorphine (http://www.emdocs.net/buprenorphine-where-do-we-stand/) that I’d like to tell you all about.

Buprenorphine marketed as Suboxone (but soon to be generic) is a mu-opioid receptor partial agonist that will fulfill cravings for opioids and suppress withdrawal symptoms, but also has a “ceiling effect” that makes abuse difficult.

How do you dose it?  Dosing in a withdrawing patient can be quite high to stave off withdrawal, while still avoiding side effects and intoxication.  But keep in mind that Buprenorphine will induce withdrawal in a patient who is currently “high.”

Some folks, including Reuben Strayer, have endorsed prescribing Buprenorphine for 2-3 days as a bridge to rehab or PCP follow up.  A certification is needed in order to prescribe, but some EDs are encouraging.   According to NY State DOH (https://health.ny.gov/statistics/opioid/data/pdf/nys_opioid_annual_report_2017.pdf), opioid-related deaths are on the rise.  Should we start prescribing Buprenorphine?

For more sweet tweets follow David @Dhcisewski and @painprofile