Long‐Term Treatment with Buprenorphine/Naloxone in Primary Care: Results at 2–5 Years

TLDR

The study examined long‑term outcomes of office‑based buprenorphine/naloxone treatment in 53 opioid‑dependent patients who had achieved six months of clinical stability, following them for 2–5 years. Primary outcomes assessed were retention, illicit drug use, dose, patient satisfaction, serum transaminases, and adverse events. Over the follow‑up, 38 % of participants were retained for two years, 91 % of urine samples were opioid‑negative, satisfaction was high, transaminases remained stable, and no serious adverse events occurred, indicating moderate retention in primary‑care treatment.

Abstract

To examine long‐term outcomes with primary care office‐based buprenorphine/naloxone treatment, we followed 53 opioid‐dependent patients who had already demonstrated six months of documented clinical stability for 2–5 years. Primary outcomes were retention, illicit drug use, dose, satisfaction, serum transaminases, and adverse events. Thirty‐eight percent of enrolled subjects were retained for two years. Ninety‐one percent of urine samples had no evidence of opioid use, and patient satisfaction was high. Serum transaminases remained stable from baseline. No serious adverse events related to treatment occurred. We conclude that select opioid‐dependent patients exhibit moderate levels of retention in primary care office‐based treatment.