Buprenorphine as a Treatment for Individuals Dependent on Analgesic Opioids

Many individuals who take opioids for chronic pain abuse the opioid medication.
Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist that may be effective in treating individuals who
abuse opiate pain medication. The purpose of this study is to compare two buprenorphine
dosing regimens in order to determine which regimen is more effective in reducing opiate
pain medication use and facilitating successful opioid detoxification.

This study will last 27 weeks. Participants will receive a maintenance dose of 8 mg of
buprenorphine for 6 weeks, followed by a dose reduction in 2 mg increments over the course
of the following 20 weeks. All participants will attend weekly clinical management sessions
for the duration of the study.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Current opioid analgesic dependence

- History of at least 2 years of oral opiate analgesic use

- Prescribed opioids for chronic pain

- Pain episode of at least 6 months duration within the 5 years prior to study entry

- Available for the duration of the study

- Good general health

Exclusion Criteria:

- Currently using any illicit substance

- Meets criteria for alcohol dependence

- History of heroin use

- History of opiate replacement therapy, including Levo-Alpha Acetyl Methadol (LAAM) or
methadone

- Evidence of current maximal primary pain