Cases of buprenorphine abuse in India. |
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| Authors: | R A Singh S K Mattoo A Malhotra V K Varma |
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| Institution: | Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India. |
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| Abstract: | Buprenorphine was introduced as a potent analgesic with low abuse potential. Reports of buprenorphine abuse by opiate abusers have accumulated over the years, highlighting its use as a cheap alternative to heroin. The lower potency compared with heroin is being compensated by using a cocktail of buprenorphine with benzodiazepines or cyclizine. This study of 18 cases seen over 3 years broadly confirms these findings. Four cases reported haematemesis during acute withdrawal, a symptom not reported in earlier studies. |
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| Keywords: | buprenorphine diazepam drug abuse |
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