Adverse effects in children after unintentional buprenorphine exposure

Pediatrics. 2006 Oct;118(4):1746-51. doi: 10.1542/peds.2006-0948.

Abstract

Buprenorphine in sublingual formulation was recently introduced to the American market for treatment of opioid dependence. We report a series of 5 toddlers with respiratory and mental-status depression after unintentional buprenorphine exposure. Despite buprenorphine's partial agonist activity and ceiling effect on respiratory depression, all children required hospital admission and either opioid-antagonist therapy or mechanical ventilation. Results of routine urine toxicology screening for opioids were negative in all cases. Confirmatory testing was sent for 1 child and returned with a positive result. The increasing use of buprenorphine as a home-based therapy for opioid addiction in the United States raises public health concerns for the pediatric population.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid / poisoning*
  • Buprenorphine / poisoning*
  • Consciousness Disorders / chemically induced
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Naloxone / therapeutic use
  • Narcotic Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Poisoning / diagnosis
  • Poisoning / drug therapy
  • Respiration, Artificial
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / chemically induced*

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Naloxone
  • Buprenorphine