Journal of Alcoholism & Drug Dependence
Open Access

Kenneth I Freedman

Publications

• Review Article
  Buprenorphine with, or without, Naloxone for Pregnant Women? - Review of Current Evidence and Practice in Massachusetts
  Author(s): Martin Krsak, Paul Trowbridge, Nancy Regan, Kenneth I Freedman Martin Krsak, Paul Trowbridge, Nancy Regan, Kenneth I Freedman
  
  Opioid use disorder has reached the level of an epidemic. Potential complications of unsafe injections, lifestyle, overdose and withdrawal are particularly concerning in pregnant women as the risk therein extends also to the foetus. The main medications in treatment of opioid use disorder are methadone, naltrexone and buprenorphine products. Naloxone (pregnancy class: B) was carefully selected to be a part of Suboxone® in 4:1 ratio to buprenorphine (pregnancy class: C) as a deterrent for intravenous use. Naloxone's bioavailability, delivered sublingually, is minimal (<10%) yet there is a theoretical concern that a potential precipitated withdrawal could incite premature labor and fetal demise. For this reason, it is recommended that buprenorphine be used alone in this setting. However, a limited amount of data exists, showing relative safety of this combination i.. View More»
  DOI: 10.4172/2329-6488.1000269

  Abstract PDF

Relevant Topics