TAP 30: Buprenorphine: A Guide for Nurses

Sent on August 21, 2009

Related Resources

Enhancing the Addiction Management Skills of Nurses

In October 2002, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved buprenorphine monotherapy product, Subutex®, and a buprenorphine/naloxone combination product, Suboxone®, for use in office-based settings. The combination product is designed to decrease the potential for abuse by injection. Nurses working in Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) have essential roles in the assessment/screening, treatment monitoring and counseling of patients receiving buprenorphine for the treatment of addiction. However, challenges to implementing treatment with a new population of patients addicted to opioids and other drugs, as well as medication diversion and patient confidentiality issues, require nurses to improve their professional skills and prepare them for the implementation of best practices in addiction settings.


	For more information, contact the SAMHSA Health Information Network or visit SAMHSA's Web site:


			1-877-SAMHSA-7 (English and Spanish/inglés y español)

			SAMHSA's Web Site

			SAMHSA Health Information Network

			eNetwork Archives


	TAP 30 Links


			Knowledge Application Program (KAP)

			Medication-Assisted Treatment for Substance Use Disorders

			National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

This guide will highlight the addiction management skills of nurses and promote a mutually respectful team environment in which nurses and physicians collaboratively work to improve the care provided to opioid addicted individuals, including assessment, induction, stabilization, maintenance, monitoring, addiction counseling and relapse prevention services.

Buprenorphine: A Guide for Nurses

Download Now PDF (2.21 MB) | Order Free Copy (SMA09-4376)

To order by phone, contact the SAMHSA Health Information Network (SHIN) at 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727) (English and español). Ask for publication order number SMA09-4376. To facilitate placement of your order, please have the publication order number ready.

			TIP 49: Incorporating Alcohol Pharmacotherapies Into Medical Practice (SMA09-4380)

			TIP 43: Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction in Opioid Treatment Programs (SMA08-4214)

			TIP 24: Guide to Substance Abuse Services for Primary Care Clinicians (SMA08-4075) (also available in Spanish: MS631S)

			TIP 45: Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment (SMA08-4131)

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
1 Choke Cherry Road | Rockville, MD 20857 | 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727) | http://www.samhsa.gov

SAMHSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity, and effectiveness of the Nation's substance abuse prevention, addictions treatment, and mental health services delivery system.

Please do not reply to this email as this email address is for distribution purposes only.