Drug Implant for Opioid Addiction Looks Effective

Drug Implant for Opioid Addiction Looks Effective: "Implanting the addiction-treatment drug buprenorphine in people who are opioid-dependent seems to reduce cravings in the short term, researchers say.<br /> By delivering a low but continuous dose of the medication, the implant is designed to reduce the risk that patients addicted to heroin or prescription painkillers (such as Oxycontin) will relapse after missing doses of buprenorphine or simply stop the daily, under-the-tongue treatment altogether.<br /> Dr. Walter Ling, from the University of California, Los Angeles, and his colleagues report their findings in the Oct. 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.<br /> 'In summary, this study found that the use of buprenorphine implants compared with placebo resulted in less opioid use over 16 weeks and also across the full 24 weeks,' the research team said in a news release from the journal."

Drug Implant for Opioid Addiction Looks Effective

Drug Implant for Opioid Addiction Looks Effective: "Implanting the addiction-treatment drug buprenorphine in people who are opioid-depe...

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FDA Appoves Drug To Treat Heroin, Morphine Addiction | AHN

FDA Appoves Drug To Treat Heroin, Morphine Addiction AHN: "Vivitrol, made by Massachusetts drug maker Alkermes, is a so-called extended-release formulation of the drug naltrexone that is injected once a month into the muscle, according to an FDA statement. The drug works to block opioid receptors in the brain.<br /> Opioids include drugs such as morphine and heroin. Naltrexone was approved to treat alcohol dependence in 2006.<br /> The FDA tested the safety of Vivitrol for six months. It was compared to placebo treatments in patients who had completed detoxification and who were no longer physically addicted to opioids.<br /> The FDA stated that 36 percent of Vivitrol-treated patients were able to stay off opioids for the full six months, compared with 23 percent of the placebo group.<br /> The drug can cause side effects, including nausea, tiredness, headaches, dizziness, vomiting, decreased appetite, joint pain and muscle cramps"

FDA Appoves Drug To Treat Heroin, Morphine Addiction | AHN

FDA Appoves Drug To Treat Heroin, Morphine Addiction AHN: "Vivitrol, made by Massachusetts drug maker Alkermes, is a so-called extended...

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Implants May Help Heroin Addiction | Wired Science | Wired.com

Implants May Help Heroin Addiction Wired Science Wired.com: "People addicted to heroin or prescription opiates might have a hands-free device for getting through the rigors of drug withdrawal. The medication buprenorphine implanted under the skin and released over 24 weeks can ease drug cravings and helps some patients stay clean, researchers report in the Oct. 13 Journal of the American Medical Association.<br /> Buprenorphine is a semisynthetic opioid compound prescribed for pain relief and for addiction withdrawal. Buprenorphine works something like methadone, a synthetic opioid developed in the 1930s. Both drugs are prescribed for withdrawal from addiction to heroin or prescription pain relievers such oxycodone, Dilaudid, codeine and Vicodin."

Implants May Help Heroin Addiction | Wired Science | Wired.com

Implants May Help Heroin Addiction Wired Science Wired.com: "People addicted to heroin or prescription opiates might have a hands-free ...

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