Abuse and diversion of buprenorphine sublingual tablets and film

J Subst Abuse Treat. 2014 Jul;47(1):27-34. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2014.02.003. Epub 2014 Mar 3.

Abstract

Buprenorphine abuse is common worldwide. Rates of abuse and diversion of three sublingual buprenorphine formulations (single ingredient tablets; naloxone combination tablets and film) were compared. Data were obtained from the Researched Abuse, Diversion, and Addiction-Related Surveillance (RADARS) System Poison Center, Drug Diversion, Opioid Treatment (OTP), Survey of Key Informants' Patients (SKIP), and College Survey Programs through December 2012. To control for drug availability, event ratios (rates) were calculated quarterly, based on the number of patients filling prescriptions for each formulation ("unique recipients of a dispensed drug," URDD) and averaged and compared using negative binomial regression. Abuse rates in the OTP, SKIP, and College Survey Programs were greatest for single ingredient tablets, and abuse rates in the Poison Center Program and illicit diversion rates were greatest for the combination tablets. Combination film rates were significantly less than rates for either tablet formulation in all programs. No geographic pattern could be discerned.

Keywords: Buprenorphine; Drug abuse; Drug formulations; Substance-related disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Sublingual
  • Buprenorphine* / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Narcotics* / administration & dosage
  • Opiate Substitution Treatment / statistics & numerical data
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Poison Control Centers / statistics & numerical data
  • Prescription Drug Diversion / statistics & numerical data*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tablets
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Universities / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Narcotics
  • Tablets
  • Buprenorphine