Combination therapy of buprenorphine and naloxone safe for treating opioid use disorder during pregnancy

In the study of 67 pregnant women, the buprenorphine-naloxone and buprenorphine groups showed similar outcomes and did not significantly differ from each other in terms of maternal health during pregnancies, deliveries, or newborn health.

“Combination therapy of buprenorphine and naloxone could be a choice for oral opioid maintenance treatment during pregnancy, but larger studies are needed before changing the official recommendations,” said corresponding author Minna M. Kanervo, of Helsinki University Hospital, in Finland. “Women on methadone treatment may have more severe substance abuse problems, so they require particularly cautious follow-up.” 

Reference

Minna M. Kanervo, Sarimari J. Tupola, Eeva M. Nikkola, Krista M. Rantakari, Hanna K. Kahila First published: 23 December 2022 https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.14497