Medications for Initial and Continued Treatment of OUD
- All medications above have been shown to reduce cravings for opioids, recurrence, and opioid overdose in large clinical trials.
- These medications also help retain people in treatment and decrease illegal opioid use and property crime.
- The NIH HEAL Initiative has resources to help explain what the forms of medications for OUD are and how they help.
- Because opioid addiction is a chronic disease like heart disease or diabetes, it can require medication for many years or even for life.
- Prematurely stopping medication for OUD can quickly lead to recurrence, overdose, and death.
| TABLE 3. THREE FORMS OF FDA-APPROVED MEDICATION FOR OUD | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| CHARACTERISTIC | METHADONE | BUPRENORPHINE | EXTENDED-RELEASE NALTREXONE |
| MECHANISM OF ACTION | Full opioid agonist | Partial opioid agonist | Opioid antagonist |
| DELIVERY | Oral | Sublingual film, injection | Injection |
| FREQUENCY | Daily | Daily oral Monthly injection |
Monthly |
| SETTING | Licensed OTP that can provide services in a criminal justice system (CJS) setting | CJS, primary care, specialty care setting (X-waiver DEA: MD with 8 hours training; PA/NP with 24 hours training) | CJS, primary care, specialty care setting (no special licensing) |
