Question

Which drug is used in the maintenance phase of opioid withdrawal?

• A. Buprenorphine
• B. Disulfiram
• C. Butorphanol
• D. Clonidine

Hint:

For opioid withdrawal, buprenorphine is commonly used for maintenance therapy due to its partial agonist activity on opioid receptors.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

In the maintenance phase of opioid withdrawal, the primary objective is to stabilize the patient’s condition and prevent relapse. Among the given options, the drug that is commonly used for maintenance therapy in opioid withdrawal is Buprenorphine.

Buprenorphine is favored due to its partial agonist properties at the mu-opioid receptor and antagonist properties at the kappa-opioid receptor. This dual action provides relief from withdrawal symptoms and reduces cravings while having a lower risk of abuse compared to full agonists like methadone.

Let's briefly examine the other options to understand why they are not suitable for maintenance therapy in opioid withdrawal:

• Disulfiram: This drug is used in alcohol dependence, not for opioid withdrawal. It works by producing unpleasant effects when alcohol is consumed.
• Butorphanol: This is a mixed agonist-antagonist opioid, typically used for pain relief rather than maintenance therapy in opioid withdrawal.
• Clonidine: This drug is often used to alleviate withdrawal symptoms during detoxification, but it is not typically used for long-term maintenance therapy.

Therefore, Buprenorphine is the appropriate choice for the maintenance phase of opioid withdrawal due to its efficacy in reducing cravings and relapse risk.