Subjective effects of additional doses of buprenorphine in patients on buprenorphine maintenance

ObjectivesBuprenorphine has considerable abuse potential. Patients who are maintained on buprenorphine (for opioid dependence) further use additional doses besides its maintenance dose. Subjective effects of the additional doses of buprenorphine in patients on buprenorphine maintenance patients is focused in this study.MethodsNineteen subjects who were maintained on buprenorphine 4 mg, s/l per day for at least 1 month were admitted and given three additional doses of buprenorphine 2 mg, s/l at the interval of 2 h each and subjective effects were assessed with the help of standard tools after 2 h of each dose and the next day also. Drug was given in a cumulative dose design in the inpatient unit of a de-addiction centre.ResultsDysphoria and sleepiness increased while euphoria and drug liking decreased with additional doses of buprenorphine. These changes were statistically significant and were highest at maximum cumulative dose of 10 mg.ConclusionResults suggest that abuse liability of buprenorphine in these subjects is low in higher doses. However, these findings need to be replicated in this group of patients to make a comment on clinical implication.