Methadone and Buprenorphine as Medication for Addiction Treatment Diversely Affect Inflammation and Craving Depending on Their Doses
Buprenorphine and methadone are widely used as medication for addiction treatment (MAT) in patients with opioid use disorders. However, there is no compelling evidence of their impact on the immune–endocrine response. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of the aforementioned...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| author | Christonikos Leventelis Aristidis S. Veskoukis Andrea Paola Rojas Gil Panagiotis Papadopoulos Maria Garderi Asimina Angeli Antzouletta Kampitsi Maria Tsironi |
| author_facet | Christonikos Leventelis Aristidis S. Veskoukis Andrea Paola Rojas Gil Panagiotis Papadopoulos Maria Garderi Asimina Angeli Antzouletta Kampitsi Maria Tsironi |
| author_sort | Christonikos Leventelis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Buprenorphine and methadone are widely used as medication for addiction treatment (MAT) in patients with opioid use disorders. However, there is no compelling evidence of their impact on the immune–endocrine response. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of the aforementioned medications on craving and on biomarkers of inflammation and cortisol, approaching the dose issue concurrently. Sixty-six patients (thirty-four under methadone and thirty-two under buprenorphine) who had just entered a MAT program and were stabilized with the suitable administered doses after a two-week process were divided into four groups based on medication dose (i.e., methadone high dose, buprenorphine high dose, methadone medium dose, and buprenorphine medium dose). The heroin craving questionnaire for craving assessment was completed, and the blood biomarkers were measured on Days 1 and 180. According to the results, high doses of both medications were accompanied by low levels of craving, cortisol, and inflammation on Day 1, and no alterations were observed on Day 180. On the contrary, medium doses reduced the tested psychosocial and biochemical parameters in terms of time, indicating a positive action for the patients. Concludingly, modifications in MAT doses are needed soon after the stabilization process to prevent inflammation and avoid relapse, thus helping opioid-addicted patients toward rehabilitation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-73e0555d19a2465a8ad5258bc93bd41e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2226-4787 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharmacy |
| spelling | doaj-art-73e0555d19a2465a8ad5258bc93bd41e2025-08-20T02:18:20ZengMDPI AGPharmacy2226-47872025-03-011324010.3390/pharmacy13020040Methadone and Buprenorphine as Medication for Addiction Treatment Diversely Affect Inflammation and Craving Depending on Their DosesChristonikos Leventelis0Aristidis S. Veskoukis1Andrea Paola Rojas Gil2Panagiotis Papadopoulos3Maria Garderi4Asimina Angeli5Antzouletta Kampitsi6Maria Tsironi7Department of Nursing, University of Peloponnese, 22100 Tripoli, GreeceDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, Argonafton 1, 42132 Trikala, GreeceDepartment of Nursing, University of Peloponnese, 22100 Tripoli, GreeceOrganization Against Drugs, 10433 Athens, GreeceOrganization Against Drugs, 10433 Athens, GreeceOrganization Against Drugs, 10433 Athens, GreeceGeneral Anticancer Hospital “Agios Savvas”, 11522 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Nursing, University of Peloponnese, 22100 Tripoli, GreeceBuprenorphine and methadone are widely used as medication for addiction treatment (MAT) in patients with opioid use disorders. However, there is no compelling evidence of their impact on the immune–endocrine response. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of the aforementioned medications on craving and on biomarkers of inflammation and cortisol, approaching the dose issue concurrently. Sixty-six patients (thirty-four under methadone and thirty-two under buprenorphine) who had just entered a MAT program and were stabilized with the suitable administered doses after a two-week process were divided into four groups based on medication dose (i.e., methadone high dose, buprenorphine high dose, methadone medium dose, and buprenorphine medium dose). The heroin craving questionnaire for craving assessment was completed, and the blood biomarkers were measured on Days 1 and 180. According to the results, high doses of both medications were accompanied by low levels of craving, cortisol, and inflammation on Day 1, and no alterations were observed on Day 180. On the contrary, medium doses reduced the tested psychosocial and biochemical parameters in terms of time, indicating a positive action for the patients. Concludingly, modifications in MAT doses are needed soon after the stabilization process to prevent inflammation and avoid relapse, thus helping opioid-addicted patients toward rehabilitation.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/13/2/40methadonebuprenorphineopioid maintenance treatmentinflammationgrowth factorscytokines |
| spellingShingle | Christonikos Leventelis Aristidis S. Veskoukis Andrea Paola Rojas Gil Panagiotis Papadopoulos Maria Garderi Asimina Angeli Antzouletta Kampitsi Maria Tsironi Methadone and Buprenorphine as Medication for Addiction Treatment Diversely Affect Inflammation and Craving Depending on Their Doses Pharmacy methadone buprenorphine opioid maintenance treatment inflammation growth factors cytokines |
| title | Methadone and Buprenorphine as Medication for Addiction Treatment Diversely Affect Inflammation and Craving Depending on Their Doses |
| title_full | Methadone and Buprenorphine as Medication for Addiction Treatment Diversely Affect Inflammation and Craving Depending on Their Doses |
| title_fullStr | Methadone and Buprenorphine as Medication for Addiction Treatment Diversely Affect Inflammation and Craving Depending on Their Doses |
| title_full_unstemmed | Methadone and Buprenorphine as Medication for Addiction Treatment Diversely Affect Inflammation and Craving Depending on Their Doses |
| title_short | Methadone and Buprenorphine as Medication for Addiction Treatment Diversely Affect Inflammation and Craving Depending on Their Doses |
| title_sort | methadone and buprenorphine as medication for addiction treatment diversely affect inflammation and craving depending on their doses |
| topic | methadone buprenorphine opioid maintenance treatment inflammation growth factors cytokines |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/13/2/40 |
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