Sun follow-ups: Buprenorphine

Mixed progress for bupe

Baltimore has doubled the number of people using the medication buprenorphine to shake off heroin addiction but has struggled to keep them in treatment.

'Bupe' seizures rise as treatment use grows

Police seizures of buprenorphine increased rapidly in Baltimore City and County in 2007, the same year that local and state government began spending millions to expand use of the narcotic to treat opiate addicts, police drug lab data show.

Sun Follow-Up

Strategies to control bupe abuse outlined

Amid growing illegal sales and abuse of buprenorphine, top federal officials outlined yesterday action they might take to curb problems with the addiction-treatment drug, including more precise detection methods, improved training of doctors and stronger warning labels for patients.

Sun Follow-Up

Agency sat on 'bupe' study

The federal agency that oversees buprenorphine treatment for narcotics addicts learned more than two years ago of illegal sales and abuse of the pills but did not reveal the findings as officials campaigned to expand use of the drug.

Sun Follow-Up

Misuse of 'bupe' is found to be on rise

In a report to federal regulators, the manufacturer of buprenorphine has provided the starkest evidence to date that misuse of the drug is growing in parts of the country where it is most widely prescribed as an addiction treatment.

Sun Follow-Up

Steps being taken on abuse of 'bupe,' health officials say

Maryland health officials told state lawmakers yesterday that they were taking steps to minimize possible abuse of the addiction treatment buprenorphine as they spend millions to expand its availability.

Sun Follow-Up

'Bupe' to draw closer scrutiny

The addiction treatment drug buprenorphine will come under closer scrutiny through a new federal initiative to track the deaths of opiate addicts taking it or methadone.

City has its wish list

Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon is seeking $5 million in state funds to substantially expand the city's program to dispense buprenorphine, a medication used to treat heroin addiction.

Sun Follow-Up

Senators urge action to reduce 'bupe' abuse

Two U.S. senators from New England are calling for action to reduce misuse of buprenorphine, a narcotic that federal officials are promoting for treatment of tens of thousands addicted to heroin and pain pills.