Buprenorphine and naloxone co-administration in opiate-dependent patients stabilized on sublingual buprenorphine

Buprenorphine and naloxone sublingual (s.l.) dose formulations may decrease parenteral buprenorphine abuse. We evaluated pharmacologic interactions be tween 8 mg s.l. buprenorphine combined with 0, 4, or 8 mg of naloxone in ni ne opiate-dependent volunteers stabilized on 8 mg s.l. buprenorphine for 7 days. Combined naloxone and buprenorphine did not diminish buprenorphine's effects on opiate withdrawal nor alter buprenorphine bioavailability. Opiat e addicts stabilized on buprenorphine showed no evidence of precipitated op iate withdrawal after s.l. buprenorphine-naloxone combinations. Buprenorphi ne and naloxone bioavailability was similar to 40 and 10%, respectively. In travenous buprenorphine and naloxone produced subjective effects similar to those of s.l. buprenorphine and did not precipitate opiate withdrawal. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.