Methamphetamine/amphetamine use over time among persons with opioid use disorders treated with buprenorphine/naloxone versus extended-release naltrexone

Judith I. Tsui, Aimee N.C. Campbell, Martina Pavlicova, Tse Hwei Choo, Joshua D. Lee, Ryan R. Cook, Matisyahu Shulman, Edward V. Nunes, John Rotrosen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Methamphetamine use is increasing among persons with opioid use disorder (OUD). The study aims were to describe methamphetamine/amphetamine (MA/A) use among patients treated for OUD with buprenorphine/naloxone (BUP-NX) or extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX), and to explore associations between treatment arm and MA/A use. Methods: Secondary analysis of data from a multi-site, open-label, randomized controlled trial of XR-NTX versus BUP-NX for 24 weeks. The outcome variable was MA/A use defined by either positive urine drug toxicology or self-report. The main predictor was treatment assignment (BUP-NX v. XR-NTX). Longitudinal mixed-effects logistic regression models were fit to model the odds of MA/A use during the study. Additional predictors included study visit and baseline MA/A use. Results: Among the sample of 570 participants with OUD, baseline use of MA/A was observed in 105 (18.4%). There was no significant treatment effect over the study period, though BUP-NX subjects, on average, had about half the odds of MA/A use compared to XR-NTX subjects (OR=0.50; p = 0.051). In the same model, baseline MA/A use and study visit were both significantly associated with MA/A use over time. Conclusion: In this sample of treated OUD patients, nearly a fifth of participants had MA/A use at baseline and the frequency of use did not decline over time: in fact, the odds of use slightly increased for each later visit. These secondary analyses found no significant difference in MA/A use between BUP-NX and XR-NTX treatment arms, however, the observation of less MA/A in the buprenorphine arm merits further investigation. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number109469
JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence
Volume236
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2022

Keywords

  • Amphetamine use
  • Methamphetamine use
  • Opioid use disorder
  • Substance use treatment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Toxicology
  • Pharmacology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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