Monday, July 26, 2010
Clinical overdose characteristics associated with buprenorphine (n=39), heroin (n=26) and methadone (n=19) compared. Among key findings of this French analysis: “…buprenorphine overdose causes an opioid syndrome clinically indistinguishable from heroin and methadone”; positive response to naloxone was noted in 0% [sic!] of buprenorphine cases, 81% of heroin cases and 71% of methadone cases. Also noted: “… flumazenil may be effective in buprenorphine overdoses involving benzodiazepines “ (accounting for 95% of all buprenorphine ODs). Article: MEGARBANE et al. J Subst Ab Treatmn 38:403-407, 2010.