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Winnipeg EMS to Use Buprenorphine for Opioid Recovery
10 Aug
Summary
- Winnipeg responders can now use buprenorphine to halt opioid withdrawal.
- Health Canada granted an exemption for buprenorphine use in July.
- This medication helps curb withdrawal symptoms for 24-36 hours.
Winnipeg's Fire Paramedic Service will begin using buprenorphine this fall, a medication approved by Health Canada in July. This prescription opioid curbs withdrawal symptoms and cravings for 24 to 36 hours, allowing overdose survivors to be more receptive to treatment.
First responders can administer buprenorphine in pill form after naloxone is given. Naloxone, which reverses overdoses, can induce painful withdrawal. Buprenorphine aims to "curb that crash," reducing the likelihood of individuals refusing further assistance and walking away from help.
This initiative comes as Winnipeg experiences a dramatic increase in opioid-related calls, with nearly 700 calls in July alone. The service has faced a growing demand, prompting the need for new approaches to address the crisis effectively and combat compassion fatigue among responders.
Similar to practices in cities like Ottawa and Sudbury, where opioid medications have been used for years, a study on paramedics in Camden, N.J., found that recipients of buprenorphine were more likely to seek further treatment. This demonstrates a promising trend in improving overdose recovery outcomes.
