Behavioral Health Services, Inc.
Subject: Detoxification – Chemical Dependency Recovery Hospitals Policy#: 4.5.16
Title: Treatment with Buprenorphine/ Naloxone (Suboxone) and Buprenorphine (Subutex)
Effective Date of This Revision: July 1, 2017
Contact: Medical Director 310-679-9126
Administration Applies to:
Officers
Other agents
Staff
Visitors
Student clinicians
Contractors
Volunteers
Subcontractors / Business Associates
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this document is to outline policy for the use of Suboxone (Buprenorphine/Naloxone) and Subutex (Buprenorphine) for patients in the Detoxification Units of BHS’s Chemical Dependency Recovery Hospitals.
POLICY:
Patients admitted to Behavioral Health Services, Inc. (BHS) chemical dependency treatment centers for opiate and methadone detoxification may be treated with Buprenorphine/Naloxone (Suboxone) or Buprenorphine (Subutex) respectively. Buprenorphine/Naloxone (Suboxone) or
Buprenorphine (Subutex) is used in accordance with established written protocol. These drugs may be used as part of a complete program which also includes counseling and behavioral therapy.
PROCEDURES:
1. The use of Suboxone/Subutex will be based on a protocol designed by a physician licensed under the Drug Abuse Treatment Act (DATA) and approved by the Pharmacy and
Therapeutics Committee.
2. Suboxone/Subutex will not be used on the following patients:
a. Patients with compromised hepatic function.
b. Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding
c. Patients below the age of 16 years.
d. The elderly or disabled patients.
e. Patients who are sensitive or allergic to Buprenorphine or Naloxone.
3. Suboxone/Subutex will not be combined with Chlordiazepoxide (Librium), Temazepam
(Restoril) or Lorazepam (Ativan) as part of the protocol for opiate or methadone
detoxification.
4. Patients on Suboxone/Subutex will be monitored for signs and symptoms of opiate
withdrawal which may include swelling, runny nose, muscle ache, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and goose bumps.
5. All patients undergoing treatment with Suboxone/Subutex will sign a consent form
explaining the adverse effects as well as the danger of combining these drugs with
Benzodiazepines before being placed on the protocol.
