Tag: Addiction treatment

Effective December 29, 2022, federal law eliminated the buprenorphine patient cap for practitioners [1.3.8]. So, what is the current cap for prescribing buprenorphine? The answer is that no federal limit exists; prescribing is now governed by state law and clinical judgment [1.2.1, 1.3.9].

Currently, there is no generic version of the extended-release buprenorphine injection, Brixadi, available in the United States. Understanding the availability and costs associated with brand-name medications is crucial for patients managing opioid use disorder, as alternatives exist that may offer similar therapeutic benefits at a different price point.

According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), buprenorphine-based medications like Brixadi are a highly effective component of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. However, administering buprenorphine improperly, including during the initial phase of treatment with Brixadi, can trigger precipitated withdrawal, a rapid and intense onset of opioid withdrawal symptoms. This guide explores the reasons behind this risk and the critical measures taken to ensure patient safety.

In a 24-week clinical study, 30% of participants receiving Sublocade abstained from other opioids for at least 80% of the study's duration [1.6.5]. As a treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), a key question for many is: **Is Sublocade long acting?** The answer is yes; it's designed as a once-monthly injection [1.3.1].

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nearly half of individuals with an opioid use disorder (OUD) also have a co-occurring mental health condition like depression. This makes the relationship between buprenorphine, a key medication for OUD, and **depression** surprisingly complex.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, approximately half of individuals with a mental illness will also experience a substance use disorder during their lifetime. In this context, the term 'comorbid opioid' refers not to a specific drug, but to the challenging and common situation where an opioid use disorder (OUD) co-occurs with one or more other medical or psychiatric conditions.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, prescription opioids are primarily used to treat moderate to severe pain, often following surgery or severe injury. Understanding **what are the primary beneficial effects of opioids** is crucial for balancing their therapeutic value against significant health risks.

Originally approved for treating opioid and alcohol use disorders, naltrexone's effects on energy levels can differ significantly based on the dosage prescribed. So, will naltrexone give me energy, or will it cause fatigue? The surprising answer depends on whether you are taking a standard or low dose.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) that includes buprenorphine has been shown to reduce the risk of death from opioid use disorder (OUD) by more than 50%. A doctor might prescribe buprenorphine for this lifesaving purpose, as well as for the effective and safer management of severe chronic pain.

According to the CDC, over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) sales totaled about $1 billion annually between 2017 and 2020, with a significant portion accounted for by patches. While several types of medicated patches are available for various conditions, the most common transdermal patch is the one used for nicotine replacement therapy to aid in smoking cessation.