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Buprenorphine blocks withdrawal in morphine-dependent rat pups
Dawn C Stoller1, Forrest L Smith
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
Paediatric Anaesthesia
|July 31, 2004
Summary
Buprenorphine effectively reduced opioid withdrawal symptoms in infant rats, potentially shortening hospital stays for infants dependent on morphine. This study suggests buprenorphine as a promising treatment for neonatal opioid withdrawal.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pharmacology
- Pain Management
Background:
- Infants on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or mechanical ventilation often require morphine for pain and sedation.
- Morphine dependence leads to prolonged hospital stays for gradual tapering to prevent withdrawal.
- Buprenorphine may accelerate or eliminate tapering, enabling earlier infant discharge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate buprenorphine's efficacy in blocking morphine abstinence signs in infant rats.
- To determine if buprenorphine can mitigate neonatal opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Morphine-dependent infant rats (postnatal day 14) received morphine via osmotic minipumps for 72 hours.
- Minipumps were removed to induce spontaneous morphine withdrawal.
- Buprenorphine administration was assessed for its effect on withdrawal signs.
Main Results:
- Opioid withdrawal signs (e.g., shakes, stretches, tremors) occurred over 72 hours.
- A single buprenorphine dose significantly reduced most withdrawal signs.
- Repeated buprenorphine doses provided a greater blockade of abstinence symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Buprenorphine demonstrated significant efficacy in blocking morphine withdrawal in infant rats.
- Buprenorphine shows potential as a treatment for opioid withdrawal in human infants.
- This research supports earlier hospital discharge for infants with opioid dependence.