Find a Therapist

Buprenophrine may help pregnant mothers

By Staff Writer

More than 221,000 women use illicit substances during their pregnancy, according to American Pregnancy, a statistics site. Rehabilitation facilities can help individuals quit before conceiving, but many mothers-to-be continue to use drugs while carrying their child.

Recently, John Hopkins researchers discovered that buprenophrine is more effective in helping opiate-dependent women who are pregnant. Methadone is typically used as treatment, but experts now say that using buprenophrine may reduce the chances of withdrawal and need for morphine.

The researchers of the study, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, also found that babies who were born from mothers who had been treated with buprenophrine were healthier than those who used methadone. The babies required less treatment to cope with withdrawal symptoms after leaving the womb.

Methadone and buprenophrine have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of opiate addiction in pregnant women. However, doctors have found success in treating addicts with the drugs over time.

Drug addiction costs the U.S. approximately $484 billion every year, according to Drug Addiction Support, a statistics site. Rehabilitation facilities can help individuals detoxify and live healthy lives.