Search

At the global level, opioid dependence is an ongoing problem, and patients with this condition require pharmacological substitution treatment programs, which traditionally use methadone. Currently there is debate over whether Buprenorphine / Naloxone could be used as a suitable replacement for the traditional drug. The investigations are not yet totally conclusive, lacking studies that prove the results in the clinical practice. Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of treatment with Buprenorphine / Naloxone as a replacement for Methadone in opioid dependent patients treated in a Psychosocial Assistance Module in the city of Bilbao, Spain. Methods: A quasi-experimental, quantitative, longitudinal, prospective study was conducted with 21 opioid-dependent patients that were part of the maintenance program with Methadone at doses lower than or equal to 40 mg / day, in which treatment was replaced by that of Buprenorphine / Naloxone (8 mg/2 mg) following for this the criteria of the Guide for the treatment of the addiction to opiates with Buprenorphine / Naloxone of the Spanish Scientific Society of studies on alcohol, alcoholism and other drug addictions of 2010. Results: After a three-month change in therapy to Buprenorphine / Naloxone, a statistically significant reduction in illegal opioid use was observed, measured through urine substance controls from an average of 2.67 methadone-positive controls 2.24 controls with Buprenorphine / Naloxone. The Adherence remained similar to the previous one, presenting a retention of 100% of the patients. Quality of life, measured with the TECVASP test, showed a statistically significant improvement, from a score of 76.76 when receiving Methadone (DE 6.41) to 90.33 (DE 5.77) with the new therapy. Conclusions: Changing maintenance therapy with methadone, in opioid-dependent patients, by buprenorphine/naloxone is a good option, because it has a similar effectiveness in terms of adherence and retention, and produces a greater reduction in the use of illegal opiates, and the same time improves the quality of life of the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]