A new method of delivering medication for opioid addicts gained approval from a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel this week. It's a matchstick-like insert designed to slip under the skin and release a drug over a period of months. Some physicians say the implant will be a useful addition to the currently short lineup of medication-assisted treatment options.
The rod is called Probuphine, developed by the companies Braeburn Pharmaceuticalsand Titan Pharmaceuticals. It contains a medication called buprenorphine which the FDA approved for opioid addiction in 2002 and is currently widely in use. The FDA typically follows the advice of its advisory panels on approvals.
This molecule binds to opioid receptors in the body, but doesn't hit them as hard as something like heroin or morphine would. So it can reduce cravings without giving a full high. It's often taken in combination with a medication called naloxone, which negates the effect of any additional opiates and acts as an antidote for overdoses.
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5 comments:
leave it to BigPharma to create a drug to fight the drugs
Actually, opioid addiction can be treated with ascorbate.. Vitamin C.
Large doses. It works for alcohol withdrawal, too.
It works very well.
Research it for more info.
Some will find a way to abuse it.
11:35. Thank you for posting this. I had no idea.
Development of new ways to release buprenorphine treatment into the body is an advance to be applauded. Many struggling with addiction have found this to be an effective way of maintaining long-term recovery.
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