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Published on: November 11, 2013
Buprenorphine-associated gastroparesis during in-patient heroin detoxification
Simon L Jakobovits1, Michael McDonough, Robert Y Chen
1Department of Gastroenterology, Western Hospital Footscray, Gordon Street Footscray, 3011, Victoria, Australia. sjakobovits@hotmail.com
Background:
Buprenorphine is a partial mu receptor agonist used in opiate detoxification. It has been shown to cause delayed gastric emptying in healthy volunteers.
Case Description:
We describe a case of clinically severe gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying due to impaired contraction of the stomach) whose onset coincided with the commencement of buprenorphine-assisted detoxification.
Conclusion:
We review the literature on gastric effects of buprenorphine in healthy volunteers, providing proof of the concept that this was the most probable cause of this patient's gastroparesis.
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