Combined abuse of clonidine and amitriptyline in a patient on buprenorphine maintenance treatment

J Addict Med. 2014 Nov-Dec;8(6):476-8. doi: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000081.

Abstract

Buprenorphine/naloxone maintenance therapy is often prescribed in primary care to treat opioid dependence. Previous reports have described concomitant abuse of opioids and clonidine. In this case, a primary care patient on buprenorphine/naloxone maintenance therapy demonstrating altered mental status, hallucinations, falls, and rebound hypertension was found to be concomitantly abusing clonidine and amitryptyline, which share metabolic pathways with buprenorphine. Clinicians should be aware of patients' combining amitryptyline, clonidine, and gabapentin with buprenorphine to achieve a mood altering state, avoid co-prescribing them if possible, and maintain communication with pharmacies and other providers when they are prescribed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amitriptyline*
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic*
  • Antihypertensive Agents*
  • Buprenorphine / therapeutic use*
  • Clonidine*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / complications
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications*

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Amitriptyline
  • Buprenorphine
  • Clonidine