Implant might help heroin addicts stay clean скачать в хорошем качестве

Implant might help heroin addicts stay clean

FT. WRIGHT, Ky. (Angenette Levy) - The FDA is considering whether to approve an implant that could potentially help heroin addicts stay clean. An advisory committee recommended in January that the FDA approve Probuphine. It's an implant similar to a birth control implant. Probuphine would release a steady stream of Buprenorphine, a medication currently prescribed to addicts in pill-form to block heroin from recepters in the brain and curb cravings. Dr. Mike Kalfas spends a quarter of his time treating heroin addicts at his office in Ft. Wright. "I'm seeing more and more coming in, wanting help, begging for help, it's running away at a frightening rate," Dr. Kalfas said. "I think it's a great idea. I've been hoping something like this would come along for a long time." Dr. Kalfas said addicts will sometimes skip their doses of buprenorphine or sell it to get money for other drugs. The implant could stop those "diversions." "The idea is that you have it inserted in just under the skin in the upper arm the same way as the birth control implants and for the next 6 months you can focus on other aspects of recovery, tending to your children," said Behshad Sheldon of Braeburn Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Kalfas is hopeful the implant could help save lives. "This isn't going to end every addiction problem for every person addicted to heroin but it's a big step in helping us help a lot of people," Dr. Kalfas said. The FDA could make a decision about approving Probuphine by the end of May.