An inpatient study of the effects of buprenorphine on cigarette smoking in men concurrently dependent on cocaine and opioids

Abstract

The effect of sublingual buprenorphine on cigarette smoking was examined in 23 adult men with DSM III-R diagnosis of concurrent opiate and cocaine dependence. After admission to a clinical research ward, subjects were detoxified with methadone (10-50 mg/day), then were drug-free for 6 days before random assignment to either 4 or 8 mg/day of buprenorphine. Gradually increasing daily sublingual doses of buprenorphine were administered for 5 days, then subjects were maintained on 4 or 8 mg/day of buprenorphine for 12 days. Each subject's preferred brand of cigarettes was available ad libitum throughout the study. Five responses (FR 5) on a key were required to earn each cigarette. The time and number of cigarettes were recorded by an automated cigarette dispenser. Subjects acquired significantly more cigarettes during the buprenorphine induction and maintenance phases (25.5+/-2.0) than during the drug-free phase (18.5+/-1.8; p<0.0002). During buprenorphine induction, the number of cigarettes acquired was positively correlated with increasing doses of buprenorphine (p<0.001) and the inter-cigarette interval was significantly shorter during buprenorphine maintenance than during drug-free conditions (p<0.001). These data showed that daily administration of the partial mu opioid agonist buprenorphine was associated with increased smoking in men concurrently dependent on opiates and cocaine. These findings are consistent with previous reports of opioid-cigarette interactions.

Methadone’s effect on nAChRs—a link between methadone use and smoking?

“…Opioid substitution therapy with buprenorphine increases smoking rates similarly to methadone maintenance therapy [119][120][121]. Buprenorphine detoxification treatment reduces tobacco smoking [122].…”

Effects of Smoking Successive Low- and High-Nicotine Cigarettes on Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis Hormones and Mood in Men

“…The extent to which increases in 'Craving' may prompt the next smoking episode during unconstrained smoking is unclear. However, during several weeks' residence on a clinical research ward, men usually initiated smoking within 20-30 min after the last cigarette (Mello et al, 1985(Mello et al, , 1980Mutschler et al, 2002). In other naturalistic smoking conditions, inter-cigarette intervals of 30-35 min are often reported (Hatsukami et al, 1988).…”

Effects of Low- and High-Nicotine Cigarette Smoking on Mood States and the HPA Axis in Men

“…The extent to which increases in craving may prompt the next smoking episode is poorly understood. However, during several weeks residence on a clinical research ward, men usually initiated smoking within 20-30 min after the last cigarette (Mello et al, 1985;Mutschler et al, 2002).…”