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Substitution agonist treatments for opiate dependent pregnant women over assisted withdrawal

Summary of the evidence

Rating
  • Beneficial

Evidence-based international guidelines (WHO, 2014) strongly recommend to advise opioid dependent pregnant women to use substitution treatment rather than attempt opioid detoxification.

Evidence does not support detoxification as a recommended treatment intervention as a result of low detoxification completion rates, high rates of relapse, and limited data regarding the effect of detoxification on maternal and neonatal outcomes beyond delivery (Dashe et al, 2018).

Details

Note: this evidence summary is only valid for the outcomes, target groups, settings and substances/patterns of use described below.

Name of response option
  • Pharmacological treatment, assisted withdrawal
Desired outcome(s)
  • improve obstetrical outcomes
  • improve treatment outcomes
Area(s)
  • Treatment
Specific substance or pattern of use
  • opioids
Target group(s) or setting(s)
  • women

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