Makarenko O. V., Kaidash S. P.

EFFECTIVENESS AND INNOVATIVE OPPORTUNITIES OF EVIDENCE-BASED PHARMACOLOGICAL APPROACHES IN THE TREATMENT OF OPIOID DEPENDENCE

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About the author:

Makarenko O. V., Kaidash S. P.

Heading:

LITERATURE REVIEWS

Type of article:

Scientific article

Annotation:

Opioid dependence remains a serious medical and social problem worldwide, as it is associated with a high risk of relapse, the development of infectious complications, and increased mortality. This article provides an overview of current pharmacological strategies for managing this condition, including replacement maintenance therapy, the use of agonists, partial agonists, and opioid receptor antagonists. The effectiveness of monotherapy and combined treatment approaches is discussed, along with the latest drug formulations, including implants and prolonged-release preparations. A comparative analysis of the safety and tolerability of various drugs is presented, and the importance of psychosocial support within comprehensive treatment is emphasized. Current advances in the pharma- cotherapy of opioid dependence focus on the introduction of prolonged-release agonists, depot formulations, and implants. Notably, the buprenorphine implant (Probuphine®) maintains a stable plasma concentration of the active substance for six months, significantly reducing the likelihood of relapse. Concurrently, research is ongoing on drugs with a combined mechanism of action, such as NMDA receptor antagonists and modulators of the glutamatergic system, which may enhance the effectiveness of replacement therapy and improve cognitive function in patients. When selecting a specific pharmacological agent, clinicians must consider the patient’s clinical condition, prior treatment experience, and level of therapeutic adherence, as well as the drug’s mechanism of action, duration of effect, and side-effect profile. Current evidence indicates that combining pharmacological and psychosocial approaches improves treatment outcomes and contributes to sustained remission.

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Bibliography:

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Publication of the article:

«Bulletin of problems biology and medicine», 2025 Issue 4, 179, 57-66 pages, index UDC 616.89 008.441.13

DOI:

10.29254/2077-4214-2025-4-179-57-66