A couple comments for regular readers… first, watch for an upcoming change to a new name. For years I’ve debated whether to adopt a name centered on ‘buprenorphine’, rather than the more-recognizable ‘Suboxone’. I believe that time has come. Second, I’m going to ‘reset’ with some introductory comments about the Read more…
I was reading more about Obama’s executive order over at Dr. Burson’s blog. I guess she is a ‘competitor’ in the blogging world, but I have to admit that her blog has a lot more detail about the issue than I do. If you haven’t been there yet, check it Read more…
I just read an article in the Daily Beast that reads like a better version of something I would write about the value of medication-assisted treatment of opioid dependence. I appreciate Christopher Moraff telling a story that has been untold far too long, and I hope the story raises questions Read more…
I just noticed a couple of my recent posts…. these people have it wrong, and that person has it wrong. One of these days I really need to print something positive and uplifting. But not today. Excuse the self-flattery, but I like to think of myself as a physician scientist. Read more…
Today on SuboxForum members discussed how long they have been treated with buprenorphine medications. Most agreed that buprenorphine turned their lives around, and most are afraid they will eventually be pushed off the medication. Most buprenorphine patients described a reprieve from a horrible illness when they discovered buprenorphine. But most Read more…
I’ve been spending more time answering questions on SuboxForum, and less time writing blog posts. I’ll share a comment from today in the hopes that someone looking for help will stumble across this page. A newcomer to SuboxForum posted this succinct question: Will someone PLEASE help me take the first Read more…
I’ve written a few optimistic lines about ALKS 5461 as a potential solution for people suffering from refractory major depressive disorder. Those unfortunate will have to keep waiting. ALKS 5461 is a product in Alkermes’ pipeline that combines buprenorphine with ALKS 33, or Samidorphan. The combination drug is purported to ‘stabilize opioid pathways’, Read more…
This morning I responded to a woman at SuboxForum. Her baby was taken to the NICU for ‘withdrawal’, which is better identified as neonatal abstinence syndrome. She said that the baby is eating well, but there is concern that the baby sleep only 2 hours at a stretch. The baby Read more…
HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell announced yesterday that the cap on buprenorphine patients would be raised in the near future. Details were not released, but she emphasized that measures would be taken to increase availability of this life-saving treatment, while at the same time taking caution to prevent misuse of the medication. Read more…
There are ongoing efforts to eliminate the cap on treating people for opioid dependence with buprenorphine or Suboxone. I don’t know what the odds of success are, but the efforts would benefit from public demand. If you have had difficulty finding a doctor with room under the cap, write a letter Read more…
Weeks ago I posted a few new ideas—things like a memorial wall for victims of opioid dependence, and a ‘wall of shame’ for doctors who are known for reckless prescribing of opioids. I mentioned these ideas over at SuboxForum as well. I received good feedback from readers here, and from Read more…