RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Buprenorphine in the emergency department
JF Canadian Family Physician
JO Can Fam Physician
FD The College of Family Physicians of Canada
SP e214
OP e220
VO 65
IS 5
A1 Srivastava, Anita
A1 Kahan, Meldon
A1 Njoroge, Irene
A1 Sommer, Leeor Z.
YR 2019
UL http://www.cfp.ca/content/65/5/e214.abstract
AB Objective To compare buprenorphine to clonidine for the treatment of opioid withdrawal in the emergency department (ED) and to study the effect assigned treatment medication had on longer-term addiction treatment outcomes.Design Randomized controlled trial.Setting Toronto, Ont.Participants Twenty-six patients presenting to the ED while in opioid withdrawal or soon to be in opioid withdrawal.Main outcome measures Patients were randomized to receive either clonidine or buprenorphine treatment. Both groups also received a corresponding discharge prescription and information on how to follow up in the addictions rapid access clinic (RAC) within a few days. Participants were followed for 1 month with respect to attendance at the RAC and to opioid agonist treatment status. Outcome measures included attendance at the RAC within 5 days of the initial ED visit and opioid agonist treatment status at 1 month (as determined by clinic attendance or self-report during a follow-up telephone interview).Results Participants who received buprenorphine in the ED were more likely to be receiving opioid agonist treatment at the 1-month mark compared with those participants who received clonidine to treat their withdrawal (P = .011).Conclusion When opioid withdrawal is treated with buprenorphine in the ED, patients are more likely to be receiving opioid agonist treatment and connected with addiction treatment 1 month later.Trial registration number NCT03174067 (ClinicalTrials.gov).