Human pharmacology and abuse potential of the analgesic buprenorphine: a potential agent for treating narcotic addiction.

Abstract

Buprenorphine was evaluated for its abuse potential and utility in treating narcotic addiction. The drug was morphine-like but was 25 to 50 times more potent than morphine and was longer-acting. Little if any physical dependence of clinical significance was produced by buprenorphine. The effects of morphine to 120-mg doses were blocked by buprenorphine, a blockade that persisted for 29 1/2 hours. In man, buprenorphine has less intrinsic activity than morphine, and as such, as a low abuse potential. Moreover, the drug has potential for treating narcotic addiction since it is acceptable to addicts, is long-acting, produces a low level of physical dependence such that patients may be easily detoxified, is less toxic than drugs used for maintenance therapy, and blocks the effects of narcotics.

• Authors: D R Jasinski, J S Pevnick, J D Griffith
• Journal: Archives of general psychiatry (Arch Gen Psychiatry) Vol. 35 Issue 4 Pg. 501-16 (Apr 1978) ISSN: 0003-990X [Print] United States
• PMID: 215096 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Morphinans
• Narcotics
• Receptors, Opioid
• Naloxone
• Buprenorphine
• Morphine
• Methadone

Topics

• Adult
• Blood Pressure (drug effects)
• Buprenorphine (therapeutic use)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Double-Blind Method
• Euphoria (drug effects)
• Humans
• Male
• Methadone (administration & dosage)
• Middle Aged
• Morphinans (therapeutic use)
• Morphine (administration & dosage)
• Naloxone (administration & dosage)
• Narcotics
• Pulse (drug effects)
• Pupil (drug effects)
• Receptors, Opioid (drug effects)
• Substance Withdrawal Syndrome (etiology)
• Substance-Related Disorders (etiology, rehabilitation)