Journal of addiction medicine
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Ondansetron Does Not Reduce Withdrawal in Patients With Physical Dependence on Chronic Opioid Therapy.
Individuals taking opioids for an extended period of time may become physically dependent, and will therefore experience opioid withdrawal should they stop taking the medication. Previous work in animal and human models has shown that the serotonin (5-HT3) receptor may be implicated in opioid withdrawal. In this study, we investigated if ondansetron, a 5-HT3-receptor antagonist, could reduce the symptoms of opioid withdrawal after chronic opioid exposure in humans. ⋯ We hypothesized that ondansetron would reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms in human subjects, but found no difference in withdrawal severity between ondansetron and placebo sessions. These findings suggest that more investigation may be necessary to determine if 5-HT3-receptor antagonists are suitable treatment options for opioid withdrawal.
-
Comparative Study
Comparison of Post-Cesarean Section Opioid Analgesic Requirements in Women With Opioid Use Disorder Treated With Methadone or Buprenorphine.
Buprenorphine is a highly effective treatment for opioid use disorders, but its continuation in the perioperative setting remains controversial, unlike the accepted practice of perioperative methadone continuation. ⋯ Our study suggests that buprenorphine treatment will not interfere more than methadone with pain management after a cesarean section with no significant differences in opioid analgesic requirements, postoperative complications, or length of hospital stay. Future studies should investigate the generalizability to other surgeries.