Overview of Pharmacotherapy for Opioid Disorder

Course overview

Course Description Part Three of this Treatment Improvement Protocol describes general principles of opioid use disorder OUD pharmacotherapy and discusses medication formulations, indications, and dosing for the three medications used to treat OUD methadone, naltrexone, and buprenorphine. The course stresses that these medications are safe and effective when used appropriately and can help patients stop or reduce illicit opioid use, improving their health and functioning. This course is based upon material published in the SAMHSA Treatment Improvement Protocol 63 and is available as an open access article. This course on opioid use disorder treatment is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors, who do clinical work. This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop their understanding of treatments for opioid use disorder. The course material includes a review of medications appropriate for use with those who abuse opioids. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require clinical continuing education courses for license renewal. Authors Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a division of the United States Department of Health and Human Services Learning Objectives This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding medications used to treat opioid use disorder. Specifically, a professional will Describe methadone pharmacology and key dosing considerations Identify dosing methods and guidelines for naltrexone Recognize buprenorphine pharmacology and specific dosing guidance for its various formulations Citation Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Medications for Opioid Use Disorder. Treatment Improvement Protocol TIP Series 63, Part 3 Pharmacotherapy for Opioid Use Disorder. HHS Publication No. SMA 18 5063PT3 Chapters A through D. Rockville, MD Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2018. Visit us online for a full year of unlimited online CEUs.