I wish to thank Dr Newman and Ms Gevertz for their interest in our Motherisk Update.1 They are, of course, correct that the buprenorphine-naloxone combination is not, per se, given as an opioid antidote. However, the fetus is exposed to an opioid antagonist through this combination. Newman and Gevertz are correct that the information regarding the fetal safety of naloxone is sparse. This is typical for many other drugs, and because 50% of pregnancies are unplanned, one must counsel mothers with the available information. With increasing use of buprenorphine, more women will likely be exposed to its combination with naloxone, and this information will be important.
Footnotes
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Competing interests
None declared
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Reference
- 1.↵