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medication for opioid use disorder
Opioid use disorder medications work by binding to opioid receptors to reduce cravings, prevent withdrawal, or block the euphoric effects of opioids.
Opioid use disorder medications work by binding to opioid receptors to reduce cravings, prevent withdrawal, or block the euphoric effects of opioids. Used for Opioid use disorder.
At a glance
| Generic name | medication for opioid use disorder |
|---|---|
| Also known as | methadone, buprenorphine/naloxone, Behavioral Drug and Risk Counseling |
| Sponsor | University of Pennsylvania |
| Drug class | Opioid agonist or antagonist |
| Target | Mu-opioid receptor |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Psychiatry / Addiction Medicine |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
The most common marketed medications for opioid use disorder include methadone (a full mu-opioid agonist that prevents withdrawal and reduces cravings), buprenorphine (a partial mu-opioid agonist with lower overdose risk), and naltrexone (a mu-opioid antagonist that blocks opioid effects). These agents target opioid receptors in the central nervous system to either substitute for illicit opioids, reduce withdrawal symptoms, or prevent reinforcement of opioid use.
Approved indications
- Opioid use disorder
Common side effects
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Sedation
- Respiratory depression
- Withdrawal symptoms
Key clinical trials
- Chicago Data-driven Opioid Use Disorder Screening, Engagement, Treatment and Planning System (NA)
- Outcome Inference in the Sensory Preconditioning Task in Opioid-Use Disorder
- Open Trial of Technology-Enhanced Behavioral Intervention for Buprenorphine Retention in Pregnant and Postpartum People (EARLY_PHASE1)
- Non-invasive Vagal Nerve Stimulation in Opioid Use Disorders UH3 (PHASE3)
- The STop UNhealthy Substance Use Now Trial (NA)
- Kentucky Women's Justice Community Overdose Innovation Network - Phase II (NA)
- Enhancing Exercise and Psychotherapy to Treat Pain and Addiction in Adults With an Opioid Use Disorder (EXPO; R33 Phase) (NA)
- Enhancing Exercise and Psychotherapy to Treat Pain and Addiction in Opioid Use Disorders ("EXPO" Pilot Trial) (NA)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- medication for opioid use disorder CI brief — competitive landscape report
- medication for opioid use disorder updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- University of Pennsylvania portfolio CI