Buprenorphine treatment for narcotic addiction: not without risks

Randy A Sansone1, Lori A Sansone1

  • 1R. Sansone is a professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Internal Medicine at Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton, OH, and Director of Psychiatry Education at Kettering Medical Center in Kettering, OH. L. Sansone is a civilian family medicine physician at the Primary Care Clinic at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force, Department of Defense, or United States Government.

Summary

Medication-assisted treatment using buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone offers benefits for opioid addiction but carries risks. Clinicians must monitor the fluctuating risk-benefit balance of these medications.

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