Abstract | OBJECTIVES: METHODS: We planned to enroll 60 individuals into an open-label trial who had been treated with opioids for chronic non- cancer pain, and who also had opioid addiction. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two 6-month treatment protocols of buprenorphine/naloxone sublingual tablets: 1) tapering doses for opioid weaning or "detoxification" (active comparator group) or 2) steady doses for opioid replacement (experimental group). They were followed monthly for the study outcomes: completion of the 6-month treatment protocol and self-reported pain control, physical functioning, alcohol consumption and illicit drug use. RESULTS: Enrollment was terminated after enrolling 12 participants because none of the 6 assigned to receive tapering doses could successfully complete the protocol (5 were given steady doses and 1 was admitted to an inpatient chemical dependency treatment program); whereas, of the 6 assigned to receive steady doses, 5 completed the protocol (1 withdrew). This difference between the 2 treatment conditions was significant (P = 0.015). Of the 10 participants who completed the 6 month follow-up, 8 reported improved pain control and physical functioning and 5 used alcohol and/or illicit drugs. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | Richard D Blondell, Lisham Ashrafioun, Christina M Dambra, Elisa M Foschio, Amy L Zielinski, Daniel M Salcedo |
Journal | Journal of addiction medicine
(J Addict Med)
Vol. 4
Issue 3
Pg. 140-6
(Sep 2010)
ISSN: 1932-0620 [Print] United States |
PMID | 20959867
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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