In Case You Haven't Heard…

Amid the news about buprenorphine and methadone (see page 1 both leads), it's important to remember that for more than a decade, at‐home inductions of buprenorphine have been recommended by the federal government. It only makes sense. Patients must be in a period of withdrawal before they can take buprenorphine if it's the combination product, which it most likely is. The naloxone would precipitate severe withdrawal symptoms otherwise. Because it's difficult to schedule something like this — complications with doctor schedules, not to mention patient discomfort and likelihood of being dissuaded from actually following up — patients are given the prescription and told to administer it at home when withdrawal symptoms begin. Not a big deal.