Medications
Fortunately, when it comes to being addicted to some drugs, there are medicines that work to reduce the effects of withdrawal and/or reduce cravings. With respect to opioid use disorder these medications reduce mortality rates as they significantly reduce the chance of relapse and overdose. In fact, for persons who have been injecting opioids for years, the recommended treatment would be suboxone or methadone maintenance.
Prescription medications are free for everyone under the age of 25 in Ontario, as of January 2018, giving access to over 4,400 medicines completely free of charge. This is all part of the OHIP+ Children and Youth Pharmacare Program which includes hydromorphone, as well as depression and anxiety medications. Remember to always ask the pharmacist if your medications are covered. (Ministry of Health)
Here is a list of medication assisted treatments for various drugs:
Drug Addicted to | Approved Medications | Potential Medications |
---|---|---|
Opioids (OxyContin, Percocet, Fentanyl) |
Buprenorphine and Naloxone (Suboxone) Buprenorphine Methadone Hydromorphone Naltrexone (Revia) (Apo-Naltrexone) (Vivitrol) |
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How it Works
Until recently, methadone was the primary drug prescribed for the treatment of opioid use disorder. However, the chance of an overdose is 6 times higher with methadone than with buprenorphine (Suboxone). BC and Ontario have now made Suboxone the primary drug prescribed for opioid use disorder and it is on the provincial formularies, meaning those who qualify will receive the drug free of charge. Other provinces will likely follow BC and Ontario.
Buprenorphine is a partial opiate agonist. It binds to the opioid receptors in the brain, relieving symptoms of withdrawal and cravings without producing a high. It is the safest of the opioid medications. It is now available as an implant in the US. Suboxone is a sublingual strip or pill (it goes under your tongue). |
Drug Addicted to | Approved Medications | Potential Medications |
---|---|---|
Alcohol | Disulfiram Naltrexone (Revia) (Apo-Naltrexone) (Vivitrol) Acamprosate (Campral) |
Baclofen Topiramate (Topamax) |
How it Works
Disulfiram causes uncomfortable nausea and headache when combined with alcohol. Baclofen is currently used as a muscle relaxant and Topomax as an anti-seizure drug. They are being studied for their effects on reducing alcohol relapse rates. |
Drug Addicted to | Approved Medications | Potential Medications |
---|---|---|
Nicotine | Nicotine Varenicline (Champix) Bupropion (Wellbutrin) Nortriptylline |
Mecamylamine |
How it Works
Nicotine replacement products including gum, patches, lozenges and inhalers (sprays or vapes) allow smokers to stop smoking without suffering withdrawal and cravings. |
Drug Addicted to | Approved Medications | Potential Medications |
---|---|---|
Cannabis | none |
buspirone nabilone |
How it Works
Buspirone, dronabinol, nabilone, entacapone and lithium are all available drugs used to treat other conditions. They are being studied for treatment of cannabis use disorder. URB-597 and MLA endocannabinoid-metabolizing enzyme blockers are experimental. |
Drug Addicted to | Approved Medications | Potential Medications |
---|---|---|
Cocaine | none | Disulfiram Topiramate Tiagabine (Gabitril) Modafenil (Provigil) Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) Nacetylcystine (NAC) Amantadine Bromocriptine Gabapentin (Neurontin) Nocaine |
How it Works
These are all drugs that are used for other conditions (except Nocaine) and are being studied for their use in cocaine use disorder. Currently there is a controversy about treating an addiction to stimulants (like cocaine or methamphetamine) with other stimulants. |
Drug Addicted to | Approved Medications | Potential Medications |
---|---|---|
Amphetamine Methamphetamine |
none | none |
FAR would like to thank Dr. Meldon Kahan for reviewing the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) section of this website for accuracy.
EHN Canada Webinar: Medications Used in Addiction TreatmentWith Dr. Ilan Nachim HBSc MSc MD CCFP, Medical Director of Bellwood Health Services.
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