Buvidal/Brixadi - a long-acting injectable buprenorphine formulation for the treatment of opioid dependence.

Long acting (or extended release) injectable buprenorphine formulations for the treatment of opioid dependence have been introduced in a number of countries in recent years. One such product, Buvidal, available as Weekly or Monthly subcutaneous injections, has been increasingly used in many European countries and Australia for several years, and has recently been registered under the brand name Brixadi in the United States. This review provides an overview of opioid dependence, examines the rationale for the development of Buvidal, its pharmacological properties, evidence of efficacy and safety, and key principles of clinical care in the treatment of opioid dependence.

Hydromorphone Hopes: A Qualitative Study of People Initiating Supervised Short-Acting Injectable Opioid Treatment in Australia.

Introduction: A growing body of qualitative scholarship has drawn attention to aspects of supervised injectable opioid treatment (SIOT) not captured in earlier clinical trial data, identifying treatment initiation as one such area. Crucial questions surrounding people's motivations, expectations and initial experiences of SIOT remain under-explored. This paper examines the first tranche of qualitative findings from participants of Australia's first-ever SIOT trial, the 'Feasibility of Opioid Injectable Treatment' (FOpIT) study.

National consensus statement on opioid agonist treatment in custodial settings.

Introduction: Opioid use and dependence are prevalent among incarcerated people, contributing to elevated rates of overdose and other harms in this population. Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) has been shown to be an effective intervention to mitigate these risks. However, challenges to health care implementation in the custodial sector result in suboptimal and variable access to OAT in prisons nationally.

Trial protocol of an open-label pilot study of oral ltrexone-propion combination pharmacotherapy for the treatment of methamphetamine use disorder (the NABU trial).

Introduction: Methamphetamine use disorder is a global public health concern with no approved pharmacotherapies for its treatment. One recent randomised controlled trial conducted in the USA examined a combination of bupropion and naltrexone not readily available globally. Here, we report a trial protocol for an oral formulation of combined naltrexone and bupropion.

Treatment satisfaction and patient reported outcomes among people with opioid use disorder participating in an open-label, non-randomised trial of long-acting injectable buprenorphine treatment in Australian custodial settings.

Introduction: A trial of long-acting injectable buprenorphine (LAIB) in Australian prisons allowed examination of treatment satisfaction and patient-reported outcomes.

Methods: UNLOC-T was a 16-week non-randomised open-label study. Men and women aged ≥18 years with moderate/severe DSM-5 opioid use disorder currently serving a custodial sentence ≥6 months were recruited.

Implementation of time-limited parenteral hydromorphone in people with treatment-resistant injecting opioid use disorder: a protocol for a single-site, uncontrolled, open-label study to assess feasibility, safety and cost.

Introduction: Supervised injectable opioid treatment (SIOT) is an evidence-based intervention targeting opioid-dependent people for whom existing treatments have been ineffective. This project will primarily assess the feasibility and the acceptability of time-limited SIOT using injectable hydromorphone delivered in an existing Australian public opioid treatment programme, with secondary outcomes of safety, cost, changes in drug use and other health outcomes. If feasible, the goal is to scale up the intervention to be more widely available in Australia.

Pilot study with randomised control of dual site theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for methamphetamine use disorder: a protocol for the TARTAN study.

Background: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) (including the theta burst stimulation (TBS) form of TMS used in this study) is a non-invasive means to stimulate nerve cells in superficial areas of the brain. In recent years, there has been a growth in the application of TMS to investigate the modulation of neural networks involved in substance use disorders. This study examines the feasibility of novel TMS protocols for the treatment of methamphetamine (MA) use disorder in an ambulatory drug and alcohol treatment setting.

How I manage severe bacterial infections in people who inject drugs.

Background: Injecting drug use is a risk factor for severe bacterial infection, but there is limited high-quality evidence to guide clinicians providing care to people who inject drugs. Management can be complicated by mistrust, stigma, and competing patient priorities.

Objectives: To review the management of severe infections in people who inject drugs, using an illustrative clinical scenario of complicated Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection.

Tobacco treatment incorporating contingency management, nicotine replacement therapy, and behavioral counseling for pregnant women who use substances: a feasibility trial.

Introduction: Most pregnant women with substance use problems smoke, and few will quit during their pregnancy. Tobacco treatment is often overlooked, with the focus usually placed on other substance use. Additionally, few targeted effective treatments for this group exist.

Patient-Reported Outcomes During and After Hepatitis C Virus Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment Among People Who Inject Drugs.

Objectives: People who inject drugs (PWID) are at a high risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. HCV cure is associated with improved patient-reported outcomes (PROs), but there are little data among PWID. This study aimed to assess the change in PROs during and after HCV direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment.

Health and social characteristics of clients reporting amphetamine type substance use at entry to public alcohol and other drug services in New South Wales, Australia, 2016-2019.

Introduction: Amphetamine type substances (ATS) are commonly used by Australian alcohol and other drug service entrants. We describe demographic characteristics, patterns of ATS and other substance use, health and social conditions among clients entering New South Wales (NSW) public alcohol and other drug services.

Methods: Retrospective cohort of 13,864 records across six health districts (2016-2019) for clients seeking substance use treatment.

Using mixed methods to establish tobacco treatment acceptability from the perspective of clients and clinicians of antenatal substance use services.

Background: Up to 95% of pregnant women with alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems also smoke tobacco. Challenging psychosocial circumstances and a lack of targeted tobacco interventions contribute to low rates of prenatal abstinence and more effective treatment strategies are required. This study explores smoking in pregnant clients of AOD treatment services from a consumer and healthcare provider perspective to examine characteristics of behaviour change and the acceptability of evidence-based tobacco treatment strategies.

Iterative delivery of an implementation support package to increase and sustain the routine provision of antenatal care addressing alcohol consumption during pregnancy: study protocol for a stepped-wedge cluster trial.

Introduction: Antenatal care addressing alcohol consumption during pregnancy is not routinely delivered in maternity services. Although a number of implementation trials have reported significant increases in such care, the majority of women still did not receive all recommended care elements, and improvements dissipated over time. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of an iteratively developed and delivered implementation support package in: (1) increasing the proportion of pregnant women who receive antenatal care addressing alcohol consumption and (2) sustaining the rate of care over time.

Tracing the affordances of long-acting injectable depot buprenorphine: A qualitative study of patients' experiences in Australia.

Background: Long-acting injectable depot buprenorphine is an important new treatment option for the management of opioid dependence, delivering therapeutic doses in weekly or monthly formulations. Depot buprenorphine aims to overcome challenges associated with traditional opioid agonist therapy (OAT), including: poor patient adherence; inconvenience of regular attendance for dosing; and, risk of non-medical use of takeaway doses. However, little is known about patients' experiences of depot buprenorphine.

Smoking cessation interventions for pregnant women attending treatment for substance use disorders: A systematic review.

Background And Aims: Up to 95% of pregnant women seeking treatment for alcohol and other drug (AOD) use smoke tobacco. Previous reviews indicate few effective smoking cessation treatments for this group. This updated review aimed to identify and measure the efficacy of smoking cessation interventions trialled among pregnant women in AOD treatment settings who smoke tobacco.

The use and effects of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists by New South Wales cannabis treatment clients.

Introduction: Despite decreasing consumption by general populations, use of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) persists in some marginalised groups, including those who use other substances. This article explores SCRA consumption in an Australian cannabis treatment sample, comparing those who report ever using SCRAs with those who have never used SCRAs.

Methods: A questionnaire orally administered in person to a convenience sample of 154 cannabis treatment service clients from New South Wales, Australia (71% male, median age 35) collected information regarding cannabis and SCRA use including motivations, effects and health-related consequences of use, demographics, other substance use and overall health.

Treatment of opioid dependence with depot buprenorphine (CAM2038) in custodial settings.

Background And Aims: Opioid agonist treatment is effective but resource intensive to administer safely in custodial settings, leading to significant under-treatment of opioid dependence in these settings world-wide. This study assessed the safety of subcutaneous slow-release depot buprenorphine in custody.

Design: Open-label, non-randomized trial.

Predictors of alcohol use during pregnancy in Australian women.

Introduction: This paper aimed to document alcohol use during pregnancy and determine predictors of ongoing use, including knowledge and agreement with national alcohol guideline recommendations.

Methods: Pregnant women (n = 1179) attending public antenatal services in a Local Health District in NSW, Australia, were surveyed about their alcohol use before pregnancy and after pregnancy recognition, and awareness of, and agreement with, national alcohol guidelines and health-related statements. Respondent characteristics, drinking behaviour and predictors of ongoing drinking during pregnancy were assessed.