Medications Used In MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment)

Posted by katherine on March 24th, 2020

MAT (Medication-assisted treatment) is a procedure that includes the use of several medications along with behavioral and counseling therapies, which is beneficial to treat OUD (opioid use disorders) and help the addicted to sustainable recovery.

It is essential to provide necessary information regarding medications used in OUD to help more people secure MAT, as well as to break the stigma often linked with some of the medicines used to cure OUD. 

Protocol Used During MAT

You must consult with a mental health expert when you decide to participate in an addiction treatment program. The following are the three main objectives of the program.

• Diagnose the disorder properly
• Assess the intensity of the addiction.
• Find out the presence of any co-occurring physical and mental health issues

The FDA has approved three drugs for opioid dependence treatment which include Naltrexone, methadone and, Buprenorphine. Along with psychosocial support and counseling, these medicines work very well and are safe to use.

Anyone who wants to get treated should be given access to all three drugs as this allows providers to choose the best treatment suited according to the needs of an individual. The need for MAT should be reassessed once in a while because OUD is chronic in nature.

Buprenorphine

This medication is used for treating people who have opioid addiction, whether the substance being abused is a prescription painkiller, for example, Vicodin and OxyContin or heroin. This medicine is amongst those drugs that can be obtained and prescribed from the doctor’s office directly. The doctor does not prescribe Buprenorphine in isolation; instead, it is just one of the elements of a detailed recovery program planned for addressing the needs of the patient.

If used properly, this medicine helps in decreasing opioid cravings and for alleviating unpleasant drug withdrawal. Due to the ceiling effect, Buprenorphine is difficult to overdose. As soon as you reach a specific dose, the impacts plateau and don’t improve with additional doses.

Naltrexone

You can find this medication in both pill and injectable. It is used for treating patients who suffer from opioid or alcohol addiction. The injectable form Naltrexone can be given intramuscularly, thus, the monthly dosage is required, whereas, oral dosing is needed once a day. Unlike methadone and Buprenorphine, Naltrexone does not have the potential for abuse and diversion. This drug blocks the opioid receptors, thus decreasing your drive to have alcohol or opioid.

Methadone

Methadone is majorly used for the alleviation of drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms in those addicted to painkillers or heroin. You may face unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal if you suddenly stop taking Methadone, therefore, always consult your doctor before considering to stop its dosage.

FDA Approved Medications

Here is a list of FDA approved Buprenorphine products that can be used for treating opioid dependence. 

• Zubsolv sublingual tablets (Naloxone and Buprenorphine)
• Subutex sublingual tablet (Buprenorphine)
• Suboxone (sublingual tablet, sublingual film for buccal or sublingual use) (Naloxone and Buprenorphine)
• Sublocade for subcutaneous use (injection) (Buprenorphine)
• Probuphine subdermal administration (implant) (Buprenorphine)
• Cassipa sublingual film (Naloxone and Buprenorphine)
• Bunavail buccal film (Naloxone and Buprenorphine)

Following is a list of FDA approved methadone products that can be used for treating opioid dependence.

• Methadose Oral concentrate (Methadone Hydrochloride)
• Dolophine tablets (Methadone Hydrochloride)