Short-term outcome of take-home prescriptions for opioid dependence: a clinic-based study

Abstract

Introduction & Aim: To evaluate in a real-world setting the short-term outcome among opioid-dependent patients receiving take-home medications.

Methods: A total of 102 opioid-dependent patients who formed part of this study received either naltrexone or buprenorphine as long-term treatment for relapse prevention. Following the initiation of treatment in a hospital-based setting, a family member supervised the treatment at home. Measurements included assessment of demographic and clinical variables, retention in treatment, drug use at baseline and follow-up.

Results: Majority of patients (69, 67.6%) were dependent on pharmaceutical opioids. Thirty-two (32%) received naltrexone and 70 (68%) were put on buprenorphine maintenance treatment. Follow-up information was available for 67.5% for 3 months, 63% for 6 months and 58% for 1 year. At the end of 6 months, 40% patients were abstinent. This rate decreased to 37.8% at the end of 1 year.

Discussion & Conclusions: Buprenorphine was found to be more effective with greater retention rates compared with naltrexone (68% vs. 42%). Buprenorphine maintenance was also found to be useful for patients with pharmaceutical opioid dependence.

• Opioid dependence
• buprenorphine
• naltrexone
• outcome

Acknowledgement

The authors are thankful to Mr. Sojan M.Phil., social worker, and Dr. Udaya and Dr. Karthik, in the preparation of this manuscript.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.