Journal of substance abuse treatment
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J Subst Abuse Treat · Jun 2019
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyTreatment with injectable hydromorphone: Comparing retention in double blind and open label treatment periods.
In a double-blind, non-inferiority randomized controlled trial injectable hydromorphone, a licensed short acting opioid analgesic, was shown to be as effective as diacetylmorphine for the treatment of severe opioid use disorder. An appropriate question is whether hydromorphone offered open-label can attract and retain patients. ⋯ As treatment with injectable hydromorphone expands across Canada, our study contributes in a unique manner by providing evidence that the high retention rates observed during the clinical trial were maintained when participants started open-label hydromorphone.