To the Editor: There is a new player in the treatment of opioid use disorder: extended‐release depot buprenorphine. This has been hailed “a game changer”1 and has proven to be of great benefit, particularly during the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Depot buprenorphine has an impact on presentations to hospital and health services, meaning that all clinicians must be familiar with the advantages and disadvantages (Box) as well as the formulations.
The full article is accessible to AMA members and paid subscribers. Login to read more or purchase a subscription now.
Please note: institutional and Research4Life access to the MJA is now provided through Wiley Online Library.
- 1. Hendrie D. Advocates hail “game changing” PBS listing of buprenorphine. News GP, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, 2019. https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/advocates-hail-game-changing-pbs-listing-of-long-a (viewed Nov 2020).
- 2. Gowing L, Ali R, Dunlop A, Farrell M, Lintzeris N. National guidelines for medication‐assisted treatment of opioid dependence 2014. Commonwealth of Australia, 2014. https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/national-guidelines-for-medication-assisted-treatment-of-opioid-dependence.pdf (viewed Nov 2020).
- 3. Lintzeris N, Dunlop A, Masters M. Clinical guidelines for use of depot buprenorphine (Buvidal and Sublocade) in the treatment of opioid dependence. NSW Health, 2019. https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/aod/Publications/full-depot-bupe-interim-gl.pdf (viewed Nov 2020).
- 4. Frost M, Bailey GL, Lintzeris N, et al. Long‐term safety of a weekly and monthly subcutaneous buprenorphine depot (CAM2038) in the treatment of adult out‐patients with opioid use disorder. Addiction 2019; 114: 1416–1426.
- 5. Lintzeris N, Hayes V, Arunogiri S. Interim guidance for the delivery of medication assisted treatment of opioid dependence in response to COVID‐19: a national response. Royal Australasian College of Physicians, 2020. https://www.racp.edu.au/docs/default-source/news-and-events/covid-19/interim-guidance-delivery-of-medication-assisted-treatment-of-opiod-dependence-covid-19.pdf (viewed Nov 2020).
No relevant disclosures.