- Lower risk of overdose
- Fewer drug interactions
- Ability to be treated in a private office setting without the need for daily visits to a licensed treatment program
- Dosing of buprenorphine is similar to that in nonpregnant patients
- Insurance in the United States may cover buprenorphine prescribed by a private physician in an office setting, while not covering methadone dispensed in a licensed opioid treatment program
- Fewer side effects
- Low risk of adverse cardiovascular side effects (by contrast, methadone is associated with small increase in risk of arrhythmia)
- For the newborn, in utero exposure to buprenorphine rather than methadone may result in a lower risk of preterm birth, higher birth weight, larger head circumference, and a lower rate and severity of neonatal withdrawal
|