NALOXONE-INDUCED WITHDRAWAL IN PATIENTS WITH BUPRENORPHINE DEPENDENCE

Naloxone-induced withdrawal was studied in seven patients currently de pendent only on injecting buprenorphine, within 3 to 6 hours of their last dose. Withdrawal severity began to rise from 5 minutes and reache d a peak at 60 minutes after 1.2 mg naloxone given intravenously. The mean withdrawal severity score was significantly higher at 30, 60 and 90 minutes compared to the baseline. The most frequent withdrawal sign s and symptoms were mydriasis, systolic hypertension, tachypnoea, musc le pains, yawning, anxiety, restlessness and craving.