Agonist and Antagonist substitution

Question 1

NICE - methadone

Answer 1

assessed 31 reviews of its effectiveness. found higher levels of retention for people using it than those on placebo or no treatment

Question 2

Marteau et al

Answer 2

analysed data for a 5 year period. concluded that buprenorphine was 6x safer than methadone. methadone still preferred treamtment in uk. more effective in retaining patients in treatment.

Question 3

NICE - naltrexone

Answer 3

found conflictng results for its effectiveness. many randomised trials showed no significant difference. when results pooled they didi find it was assossciated with lower rate of relapse

Question 4

Tuuli Lahti et al

Answer 4

tested effectiveness of naltrexone in small sample of gamblers. found significant decrease in gambling levels. further researched needed, e.g. comparison with placebo.

Question 5

side effects

Answer 5

methadone can interact with other drugs. naltrexone can cause anxiety, reduce happiness. risk of overdose.

Question 6

financial cost of methadone

Answer 6

Gyngell 2011 says prescribing methadone was an expensive failure, large costs from prescribing it and 320,000 problem drug users on benefits. But the charity DrugScope says they overestimated cost of prescribing it