Associations between prescribed benzodiazepines, overdose death and buprenorphine discontinuation among people receiving buprenorphine

• DOI: 10.1111/add.14886
• Publication Date: 2020-01-09T04:04:02Z
• Authors: Tae Woo Park; Marc R. Larochelle; Richard Saitz; Na Wang; Dana Bernson; Alexander Y. Walley
• Keywords: Discontinuation; Opioid Overdose

ABSTRACT Background and Aims Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed to patients with opioid use disorder receiving buprenorphine treatment, yet may increase overdose risk. However, benzodiazepines improve retention in care by reducing discontinuation thus prevent relapse illicit use. We aimed test the association between benzodiazepine prescription fatal overdose, non‐fatal all‐cause mortality discontinuation. Design Setting This was a retrospective cohort study using five individually linked data sets from Massachusetts, United States government agencies. Participants studied 63 389 Massachusetts residents aged 18 years or older who received treatment January 2012 December 2015. Measurements Filled during main independent variable. The primary outcome time overdose. Secondary outcomes were defined as having 30‐day gap without another following end date of previous prescription. used Cox proportional hazards models calculate ratios that tested receipt all outcomes, restricted periods treatment. Findings Of 345 individuals buprenorphine, 24% filled at least one Thirty‐one per cent 183 deaths occurred when Benzodiazepine associated an increased risk adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 2.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.10‐4.06, HR 2.05, CI, 1.68‐2.50, mortality, 1.90, 1.48‐2.44 decreased discontinuation, 0.87, 0.85‐0.89. Conclusions appears be both among people buprenorphine.