Opiate abuse is a nationwide epidemic. We are constantly looking for solutions One might be using buprenorphine implants.
This study in JAMA found that the implants were as successful as sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone in maintaining clinical stability in opioid-dependent patients.
During the 6-month study period, 63% of patients in the buprenorphine implant group and 54% of those in the buprenorphine/naloxone group had no evidence of illicit opioid use.4
The article concluded that Buprenorphine implants (Probuphine) may provide more consistent dosing for opioid-dependent patients stabilized on low to moderate doses of transmucosal buprenorphine. The implants also provide an additional safeguard against illicit use of buprenorphine, but they are much more expensive than oral transmucosal buprenorphine, which is similarly effective.
