What medication is used to treat opioid addiction by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms?

What medication is used to treat opioid addiction by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms?

• A. Buprenorphine
• B. Benzodiazepines
• C. Agonist
• D. Alcoholic Anonymous

Answer: (A)

Buprenorphine is the medication used to treat opioid addiction by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It acts as a partial opioid agonist at the mu-opioid receptor, meaning it activates the receptor but to a lesser degree than full opioid agonists. This blunts withdrawal and lowers cravings without producing the same intense high, which helps people stabilize and stay in treatment. Its ceiling effect also reduces overdose risk, and its long duration supports once-daily dosing. In practice, it’s commonly given as buprenorphine/naloxone to discourage misuse, forming a key part of medication-assisted treatment. Benzodiazepines aren’t used to treat opioid dependence itself and can be dangerous when combined with opioids. An “agonist” is a broad pharmacology term, not a specific medicine. Alcoholic Anonymous is a support program, not a medication.

Buprenorphine is the medication used to treat opioid addiction by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It acts as a partial opioid agonist at the mu-opioid receptor, meaning it activates the receptor but to a lesser degree than full opioid agonists. This blunts withdrawal and lowers cravings without producing the same intense high, which helps people stabilize and stay in treatment. Its ceiling effect also reduces overdose risk, and its long duration supports once-daily dosing. In practice, it’s commonly given as buprenorphine/naloxone to discourage misuse, forming a key part of medication-assisted treatment.

Benzodiazepines aren’t used to treat opioid dependence itself and can be dangerous when combined with opioids. An “agonist” is a broad pharmacology term, not a specific medicine. Alcoholic Anonymous is a support program, not a medication.