Use of buprenorphine in pregnancy
Code: (REP 08)
Clinical guidelines, ISBN: 1 74001 020 5
These guidelines are written for medical, nursing, midwifery, drug and alcohol clinicians and allied health staff involved in the management of opioid dependent women who are pregnant. They are intended as a guide for managing opioid dependent women who are on buprenorphine maintenance programs for heroin dependence and are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant. The guidelines are consensus guidelines, based upon consultation with experts in the field of addiction medicine, obstetrics and neonatology. Consensus was reached regarding recommendations in the guidelines. The body of evidence from the research literature regarding the use of buprenorphine in pregnancy is small but rapidly evolving. Clinical guidelines should be used as a guide to clinical management; clinicians must always consider the pregnant woman they are managing as an individual, and apply the guidelines appropriately. Evidence on the safety of buprenorphine during pregnancy and lactation are currently emerging. These guidelines have been written in 2003. It is anticipated that new evidence will emerge in the coming years regarding buprenorphine in pregnancy and breastfeeding.