Relationship between opioid cross-tolerance during buprenorphine stabilization and return to opioid use during buprenorphine dose tapering

ConclusionsIn these buprenorphine-stabilized regular heroin users, IDU is associated with attenuated ‘liking’ response (more cross-tolerance) to buprenorphine and to high-dose hydromorphone challenge and, in turn, this cross-tolerance (but not IDU) predicts faster return to opioid use. Further research should examine mechanisms that link cross-tolerance to treatment response.
Source: Psychopharmacology - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research