Author: Diary of a Quitter
Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 1:41 am
Probuphine has been in trials for like 5 years at least, so hopefully they have most of the bugs worked out by now. (I was in the 2nd phase trials in 2007).
I can definitely see some positives to the implant idea for treating addiction. Having been through the implant and explant process for Probuphine I can tell you it’s not a huge deal. It took like 20 minutes and didn’t hurt. My implants did migrate away from the implant site so taking them back out involved a bigger incision than putting them in, but it still wasn’t a big deal, and I don’t think that’s a really common experience.
On the pro side for the implant here are some of my thoughts:
1. You don’t have to freak out wondering if your doctor is going to refill your prescription every month.
2. You don’t have to worry about losing your pills or someone stealing them. And no temptation to divert them.
3. You don’t have to dose every day (or more). You can just forget about it.
4. For a planned surgery you could have the implant removed ahead of time, just like you can quit Suboxone ahead of time.
5. Stable level of bupe in your bloodstream eliminates ups and downs.
6. The implant eliminates your ability to "play doctor" with your dose.
7. No naloxone (for those who are sensitive).
8. Implant makes it more difficult to take a "vacation" from your meds in order to get high.
On the con side:
1. More difficult to fine-tune your dose.
2. Not so great for pain management situations unless you’re able to supplement the implant with oral bupe when you need it.
3. More difficult to be in control of your taper.
4. Can complicate need for emergent pain relief (accident, emergency surgery, etc.), but I’m not sure how much more than being on a blocking dose of Suboxone complicates these situations.
5. Having plastic rods in your arm just under your skin is kinda weird and if you bang them or compress them it can be painful.
6. Does leave a small scar on inner arm. Fun to tell people "that’s where the aliens put the implant," though.
So that’s my 2 cents. If you want to ask me questions about the trial, please do…but be aware that I either got placebo implants or they didn’t work for me so I had to leave the study and switch to suboxone treatment so my experience is limited.
