Addiction
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Buprenorphine is marketed in a sublingual formulation for treatment of opioid dependence. A transdermal formulation has been developed that may provide extended relief from opioid withdrawal, reduce required clinic visits and improve adherence, while having less potential for diversion and abuse. This study evaluated the safety and biodelivery (blood levels) of this transdermal buprenorphine formulation (i.e. buprenorphine patch), and its apparent efficacy in suppressing the opioid withdrawal syndrome. ⋯ The significant biodelivery of buprenorphine and the suppression of the opioid withdrawal syndrome during patch application and its reappearance after patch removal indicate clinically useful pharmacodynamic activity. Transdermal buprenorphine may be a useful opioid detoxification treatment that reduces compliance concerns, and delivers buprenorphine in a formulation less likely to be diverted to illicit use.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
What difference does training make? A randomized trial with waiting-list control of general practitioners seeking advanced training in drug misuse.
To measure changes in knowledge, attitudes and clinical practice of general practitioners (GPs) enrolled to receive training in the management of drug misusers. ⋯ GPs seeking special training for the care of drug misusers are both positively disposed to this patient population and clinically active. Benefits unambiguously attributable to the course were modest. While a TR effect was observed, strict adherence to ITT analysis failed to identify significant benefits observed with the training provided. Randomisation and waiting-list controls design are insufficient as a research method for training evaluation studies if ITT analysis is used exclusively.
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We examine the phenomenon of low-frequency smoking (non-daily smoking or smoking