Heroin detoxification with a single high dose of buprenorphine

Abstract

Twenty street-heroin dependent subjects were given 32 mg of sublingual buprenorphine, following heroin abstinence of 24 hours. Withdrawal symptoms were monitored during the first few hours, and followed for six days after buprenorphine administration, after which naltrexone 50 mg was introduced to prevent future heroin use. All 20 subjects completed the seven-day trial with negligible withdrawal symptoms, and smooth transition to naltrexone. These results strongly demonstrate that symptom-free detoxification from heroin can be obtained by a single high dose of buprenorphine.