ISSN: 2329-6488
+44 1223 790975
Kaarlo Simojoki
Finland
Research Article
A Five-Year Follow-up of Buprenorphine Abuse Potential
Author(s): Kaarlo Simojoki and Hannu AlhoKaarlo Simojoki and Hannu Alho
Background: Mono-buprenorphine has been the most abused intravenous opioid in Finland since 2001. A buprenorphine/naloxone combination drug intended to lower the risk of abuse became already available in Finland in 2004. In 2008 the mono-buprenorphine product was placed under special license (for pregnancy only). The availability of both drug preparations provides an opportunity to assess the extent to which the two products are abused and street priced. The main aim of this study was to evaluate five-year trends of abuse pattern, dosage and street price of illicit opioid abuse in the Helsinki metropolitan area.
Methods: A questionnaire consisting of multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions was distributed to all attendees at all the 10 harm reduction (needle exchange) units in the Helsinki area over 2-week periods from 2005- 2008 and.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2329-6488.1000111