Methadone or buprenorphine? 
The choice of substitution therapy 
in pregnant opioid dependent women

Jadwiga Zalewska-Kaszubska

doi:10.5114/ain.2018.81301

eISSN: 1689-3530
ISSN: 0867-4361

Alcoholism and Drug Addiction/Alkoholizm i Narkomania

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3/2018
vol. 31

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abstract:

Review article

Methadone or buprenorphine? The choice of substitution therapy in pregnant opioid dependent women

Jadwiga Zalewska-Kaszubska

Alcohol Drug Addict 2018; 31 (3): 213-224

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/ain.2018.81301

Online publish date: 2019/01/16

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Pregnant opioid dependent women have an increased risk of complications both during pregnancy and delivery. Substitution therapy can considerably reduce this risk. Unfortunately, this treatment is not without its side effects, often associated with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), which requires treatment. Methadone and buprenorphine used as substitution therapy, mitigate extreme fluctuations in the concentration of opioids in the blood, which may occur during uncontrolled opioids abuse. The use of buprenorphine is associated with a lower risk of premature delivery, milder withdrawal symptoms and better neonatal health. However, women receiving buprenorphine discontinued therapy more often. Therefore, methadone is preferred in substitution therapy, especially in women who require higher doses of opioids in order to achieve homeostasis.

keywords:

Methadone or buprenorphine? The choice of substitution therapy in pregnant opioid dependent women

Jadwiga Zalewska-Kaszubska

Pregnancy, Buprenorphine, Methadone, Substitution therapy