MOUD Education - MATTERS Network

MATTERS develops educational materials for various topics, including medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Explore topics & resources below.

How to start buprenorphine at home

Starting buprenorphine (commonly referred to as Suboxone) at home. 1. Stop all opioids 12-36 hours before starting buprenorphine at home. You may feel sick, like you have the flu. This is normal. 2. Wait until you are in withdrawal before taking your first dose of buprenorphine. If you take your first dose too soon, your withdrawal symptoms might get worse. 3. Before you take your first dose, you should have at least THREE of the following symptoms: body aches, joint pain, restlessness, twitching or shaking, chills or sweating, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, anxiety or irritability, enlarged pupils.

Daily buprenorphine dosing. First dose*: place the 8mg film of buprenorphine under your tongue for 15 minutes. Do not swallow it. Wait to take your next dose until you start feeling withdrawal, as long as you are not sleepy. If you don't feel better after 1 hour, place another 8mg film under your tongue. If you feel sleepy after an 8mg dose of buprenorphine, try taking half of the 8mg film for your next dose. The maximum daily dose for buprenorphine is 16mg. If you don't feel better after 6 hours from taking 16mg, you may need another evaluation. Connect to MATTERS telemedicine services or go to your local emergency department. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how buprenorphine affects you.

Medications for Opioid Overdose

Types of Opioid Overdose Medication. Narcan: naloxone, 2 doses per box, nasal spray, 4mg each, available over-the-counter, $45+. RiVive: naloxone, 2 doses per box, nasal spray, 3mg each, available over-the-counter, $35+. MATTERS does not endorse any specific commercial product.

Types of Opioid Overdose Medication. Kloxxado: naloxone, 2 doses per box, 8mg each, prescription only, $130+. Opvee: nalmefene, 2 doses per box, nasal spray, 2.7 mg each, prescription only, $75/each. MATTERS does not endorse any specific commercial product.

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)

Outlines different medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Options include methadone, which fully activates the opioid receptor to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This medication must be taken with medical supervision. Methadone is taken daily in a tablet, liquid, or wafer forms. Buprenorphine only partially activates the opioid receptor. Buprenorphine also reduces cravings and symptoms of withdrawal; it can be administered in an outpatient setting and can be taken daily in a tablet, film, implant, or orally. It can also be administered through a monthly injection. Naltrexone is a medication that blocks the opioid receptor, meaning folks don't feel the effects of the opioid. This medication can be administered monthly in the form of an injection, or daily in a tablet form.

Opioid Use and Pregnancy

Opioid Use and Pregnancy. Prevalence: About 7% of women reported using prescription opioid pain relievers in 2019, 20% of these women reported misuse. Overdose mortality rates among pregnant and postpartum women increased by about 81% between 2017 and 2020. Treatment: Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) are recommended for treatment during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Buprenorphine and methadone are safe for use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Medically supervised withdrawal during pregnancy is not recommended. Importance: If untreated, opioid use during pregnancy can have serious impacts on the fetus (ie. growth restrictions, fetal distress, and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Substance use during pregnancy is likely under-reported due to shame and stigma. Punitive policies contribute to a lack of self-reporting during pregnancy. Need help? MATTERS can facilitate referrals to patient-centered, stigma-free treatment; connect individuals virtually to a provider through telemedicine services; provide free harm reduction supplies, including test strips; offer transportation and medication vouchers to reduce barriers to care. Scan the QR code at the bottom of the hand-out to see our works cited. Contact the MATTERS team at www.mattersnetwork.org or call 765-MATTERS (628-8377)

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