Evaluation of the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder with buprenorphine-naloxone under Medical Supervision in an Outpatient Setting

Authors

Hatim Elhady, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Internal Medicine

Abstract

Buprenorphine-naloxone is effective at promoting opioid cessation when utilized as intended. However, contemporary research suggests buprenorphine-naloxone remains misused in the general population. Despite patient education, buprenorphine-naloxone is taken with depressants and often through improper routes to achieve unintended results. Supervision has been shown to reduce buprenorphine-naloxone misuse and diversion. Such supervision exists as an underexplored avenue to improve intervention efficacy. However, the literature assessing supervised buprenorphine-naloxone administration is scarce and requires further expansion to maximize the efficacy of this treatment strategy. Existing literature suggests a supervised approach would enhance current treatment paradigms. Further research is required to cement a correlation between diminished buprenorphine-naloxone diversion and medically supervised buprenorphine-naloxone administration in the outpatient setting.

Recommended Citation

Elhady H. Evaluation of the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder with buprenorphine-naloxone under Medical Supervision in an Outpatient Setting. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2023; 5(1).