Buprenorphine to reverse respiratory depression from methadone overdose in opioid-dependent patients: a prospective randomized trial.
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Naloxone is the usual drug used in opioid-induced respiratory depression but it has a short half-life, precipitates withdrawal in dependent patients, and thus for persistent reversal of long-acting opioids has to be given by titrated doses and infusions. The partial agonist buprenorphine has a much longer duration of action and causes less severe withdrawal, but still should largely reverse respiratory depression induced by full agonist opioids. We aimed to compare the efficacy/safety of buprenorphine and naloxone in reversing respiratory depression in methadone-poisoned opioid-dependent patients. METHODS:Patients with methadone-induced respiratory depression were randomized to receive naloxone (titrated doses), or lower or higher doses of buprenorphine (10??g/kg or 15??g/kg). The primary outcome was immediate reversal of respiratory depression. We also recorded acute opioid withdrawal, need for intubation/recurrent apnea, repeated doses of opioid antagonists, length of hospital stay, other morbidity, and mortality. The study was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (Trial ID: 18265; Approval code: IRCT2015011020624N1). RESULTS:Eighty-five patients were randomized; 55/56 patients who received buprenorphine had rapid reversal of respiratory depression, which persisted for at least 12?h. Naloxone was effective in 28/29 patients, but often required very high titrated doses (thus delaying time to respond) and prolonged infusions. Intubation (8/29 vs 5/56) and opioid withdrawal (15/29 vs 7/56) were less common with buprenorphine. There were no serious complications or deaths in those receiving buprenorphine. The 15-?g/kg buprenorphine dose appeared to provide a longer duration of action, but precipitated withdrawal more frequently than the 10-?g/kg dose. CONCLUSION:Buprenorphine appears to be a safe and effective substitute for naloxone in overdosed opioid-dependent patients. Further studies are warranted to explore the optimal dosing strategy for buprenorphine to consistently maintain reversal of respiratory depression but not precipitate withdrawal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:IRCT2015011020624N1. Registered 30 September 2015.
SUBMITTER: Zamani N
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7006192 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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