Methadone is a popular synthetic opioid utilized for the treatment of opioid dependence as a “replacement therapy.” Individuals addicted to highly potent opioidergic agents (e.g. heroin) are often prescribed methadone as a transitory “replacement” drug. Administration of methadone as a replacement over heroin is preferred because it is medically viewed as being slightly less addictive. …
There are many new medications that have been engineered specifically for the treatment of opioid dependence. Those dependent on opioids tend to experience debilitating physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation. To help individuals discontinue illicit opioids like heroin, an “opioid replacement therapy” drug is often prescribed. Two of the most common opioid replacement therapy …
Subutex and Suboxone are drugs that were approved by the FDA in 2002 for the treatment of opioid dependence. Both drugs contain the active ingredient buprenorphine, a semisynthetic opioid that acts as primarily as a partial mu-opioid receptor agonist. Buprenorphine also acts as an antagonist at the kappa and delta opioid receptors. Buprenorphine’s mechanism of …
Methadone was originally developed in Germany during the 1930s as a synthetic alternative to opium. Post World War II, the United States obtained all research records for the substance and noted that it was less sedating and less of a respiratory depressant than morphine. In 1947, Methadone was approved by the FDA for the treatment …