Management of buprenorphine/naloxone therapy in substances abuse consumers in prison: efficacy and safety

Abstract

The use of agonist therapy in prison is not widespread in Italy or in the rest of the world. This causes a strong limitation in access to care for inmates, but above all causes serious negative consequences on public health, due to the lack of treatment of a population otherwise difficult to reach. This population, if left untreated, presents greater risks, when discharged from jail, of relapse in use, of infectious diseases occurrence and of death by overdose. Inappropriate treatment also causes a greater difficulty in the management of the inmate: several behavioral disorders, such as self-harm, self and hetero-aggression, and suicide attempts, can be prevented through an appropriate use of agonist therapy. One of the primary objectives in the management of illicit substance users is the increase in the proper use of agonistic treatments, in their duration and dosage and the improvement of their safety profile through the prevention of episodes of misuse and/or diversion. This can be achieved through the use of partial agonist drugs and abuse-deterrent formulations such as buprenorphine/naloxone (Pharmacology)