Headache in Buprenorphine Detoxification Treatment

Abstract

Background: Buprenorphine is a partial mu-opioid receptor agonist that is an effective agent for agonist therapy for opioid addiction and for the management of withdrawal from heroin and other opioids. Methods: 379 addict patients who admitted for detoxification therapy with buprenorphine were enrolled in the study. Withdrawal scale (using short opiate withdrawal scale) and headache intensity (11-point numerical rating scale) were assessed daily during detoxification course. History of headache, outcome of patients and dose of buprenorphine were recorded also. Result: 239 patients (63.1%) experienced headache during assessment that 43% of them experienced more severe headaches based on median of pain intensity. Positive history of chronic headache was more common in these patients (81.1% versus 17.8%, p<0.05). During mild headache person-days, dose of buprenorphine was lower and withdrawal scale as higher than other days. We didn’t find any significant difference between mean withdrawal scales and dose of buprenorphine in severe headache days and other days. Incidence of severe headache in dropped out patients was similar to other patients and experience of severe headache was less common in patients who chose buprenophine for maintenance therapy. Conclusion: We concluded that headache is an important compliant during treatment of opiate addiction with buprenorphine and is not just a symptom of opiate withdrawal.