Buprenorphine: duration of blockade of effects of intramuscular hydromorphone

• Published in: Drug and alcohol dependence 1994-04, Vol.35 (2), p.141-149
• Main Authors: Rosen, Marc I., Wallace, Elizabeth A., McMahon, Thomas J., Pearsall, H.Rowland, Woods, Scott W., Price, Lawrence H., Kosten, Thomas R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Sublingual; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Blockade; Buprenorphine; Buprenorphine - administration & dosage; Buprenorphine - adverse effects; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug addictions; Drug Administration Schedule; Duration; Female; Humans; Hydromorphone; Hydromorphone - administration & dosage; Hydromorphone - adverse effects; Hydromorphone - antagonists & inhibitors; Male; Medical sciences; Neurologic Examination - drug effects; Opioid-Related Disorders - rehabilitation; Single-Blind Method; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome - etiology; Time Factors; Toxicology
• ISSN: 0376-8716; 1879-0046
• DOI: 10.1016/0376-8716(94)90121-X

Six opioid-dependent in-patients were maintained on daily sublingual doses of buprenorphine at 2, 6, and 12 mg/day for five days at each dose in a randomized, balanced sequence. Placebo buprenorphine was substituted for the next three days, and challenge doses of the mu agonist hydromorphone were administered on the three days. Planned comparisons in a 3-factor ANOVA showed dose-dependent hydromorphone effects, significant blockade of ‘high’ by the 12 mg buprenorphine dose, and no differences on hydromorphone-induced ‘high’ across 72 h of active buprenorphine. The data suggest that the blockade by buprenorphine of ‘high’ persists for at least 72 h after the last dose of buprenorphine.