Medical Student 8 Hour Buprenorphine Training-Session 3: Pharmacology

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video, Dr. Pracken discusses the pharmacology of medications used for the treatment of opiate use disorder. He starts by providing an overview of methadone, the oldest medication used for this purpose. Methadone is a synthetic opioid that has been used since the 1940s for pain management and later for opioid use disorder treatment. Dr. Pracken explains that methadone is metabolized in the liver and has a long half-life, allowing for once-a-day dosing. Methadone works by satiating the mu opioid receptor and interfering with the euphoric effects of other opioids.<br /><br />Next, he discusses buprenorphine, a semi-synthetic opioid that was approved by the FDA in 2002 for the treatment of opioid use disorder. Buprenorphine has a high affinity for the mu receptor and a slow dissociation, making it effective in reducing cravings and blocking the euphoric effects of other opioids. Buprenorphine has a favorable safety profile compared to methadone and is often used in outpatient settings.<br /><br />Lastly, Dr. Pracken talks about naltrexone, a long-acting opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids. Naltrexone can be administered orally or via injection and requires patients to be completely free of opioids before starting treatment. Naltrexone can reduce cravings and prevent relapse but has a lower adherence rate than other medications.<br /><br />Overall, the video emphasizes the importance of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder and highlights the key features and considerations of methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. The information provided aims to support healthcare professionals in their understanding and management of these pharmacological interventions.

Keywords

opiate use disorder

medications

pharmacology

methadone

buprenorphine

naltrexone

medication-assisted treatment