Citation

Soyka M, Penning R, Wittchen U. Pharmacopsychiatry 2006; 39(3): 85-87.

Affiliation

Psychiatric Hospital, University of Munich, Munich, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Georg Thieme Verlag)

DOI

10.1055/s-2006-941482

PMID

16721696

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Some recent studies have suggested a lower risk of fatal intoxications in drug-dependent patients under buprenorphine compared to methadone treatment. METHODS: Epidemiological reference data for the Munich region suggest that in 2003 approximately 10 % of all substitution patients were treated with buprenorphine, and 87 % with methadone. We studied the proportion of patients under methadone and buprenorphine substitution among drug-related deaths. Data from forensic post-mortem and toxicological analysis were analyzed. RESULTS: Data indicate that in 96 (35 %) of all 272 so-called drug deaths, methadone was involved compared to a single case of buprenorphine, possibly indicating a relatively better risk profile of buprenorphine. DISCUSSION: More prospective studies are necessary to assess the risk of fatal intoxications under different substitution regimens.

Language: en