A review of the evidence to explain pharmacological basis of injection (ab)use of buprenorphine–naloxone tablets

Tamoud Modak, MD, DM; Siddharth Sarkar, MD, MRCPsych; Yatan Pal Singh Balhara, MD

doi:10.5055/jom.2021.0651

Authors

Tamoud Modak, MD, DM
Siddharth Sarkar, MD, MRCPsych https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3827-1549
Yatan Pal Singh Balhara, MD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jom.2021.0651

Keywords:

buprenorphine–naloxone diversion, injection

Abstract

Opioid use disorder is a major public health problem, and opioid replacement therapy with buprenorphine (BPN) is a clinically effective and evidence-based treatment for it. To deter misuse of the tablet through the injecting route, BPN coformulated with naloxone (BNX) in 4:1 ratio is available in many countries. Despite this, significant diversion and injecting use of the BNX combination has been reported from across the world. In this article, the pharmacological properties of BPN and BNX and the evidence for their diversion are reviewed. Also, a critical examination is made of the evidence supporting the role of naloxone in reducing the agonist effects of BPN when used through the injecting route. Based on this evidence, a hypothesis explaining the continued diversion of BNX has been proposed.

Author Biographies

Tamoud Modak, MD, DM

Senior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India

Siddharth Sarkar, MD, MRCPsych

Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India

Yatan Pal Singh Balhara, MD

Additional Professor, Department of Psychiatry, National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India

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