Which medication is considered the gold standard for medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder?

The evidence strongly supports the use of agonist therapies to reduce opioid use and to retain patients in treatment, with methadone maintenance remaining the gold standard of care.

Is codeine an opioid?

“Opioids” include prescription drugs such as codeine, morphine, oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percodan®, Percocet®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®, Lortab®, Lorcet®), and meperidine (Demerol®), as well as illegal drugs like heroin.

What is the most effective treatment for opioid use disorder?

The most effective treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD) are three medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA): methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.

What is a mat waiver?

Medication Assisted Treatment Waiver Training Physicians require 8 hours of training on Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) to obtain a waiver from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to prescribe buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder.

Do you need a waiver to prescribe naltrexone?

None; any pharmacy can fill the prescription. Physicians must complete limited special training to qualify for the DEA prescribing waiver. Any pharmacy can fill the prescription.

Can nurses administer Suboxone?

Nurse practitioners who compete the required training are allowed to prescribe buprenorphine (Suboxone) for up to 30 patients in the year following training. After this year-long period, NPs can apply for a waiver to prescribe the drug for up to 100 patients.

How do you take Suboxone for pain?

Analgesic Effect A lower-dose transdermal formulation of buprenorphine (Butrans) is available for the management of moderate to severe chronic pain. These patches are available in three doses (5 mcg, 10 mcg, and 20 mcg) and are applied once weekly in patients with chronic pain.

Is naltrexone a safe drug?

Naltrexone is considered a comparatively safe medication, and treatment may be indefinite. Because Naltrexone may interact with certain Opioids, patients should refrain from use of illegal Opioids and make sure their physician is aware of any medications they are taking.

What are contraindications for naltrexone?

Naltrexone is contraindicated in patients who are receiving opioid analgesics, partial opiate agonists (e.g., buprenorphine), those with current physiologic opioid dependence, and those in acute opioid withdrawal.