Ohio Christian University Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics Paper

Objective: Analyze the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of opiates.

Opiates and opioids are a widely abused class of drugs with a high addiction liability. These drugs are rapidly becoming drugs of abuse in epidemic proportions in many states. In fact, in many states, accidental opiate overdose has now exceeded motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of death. Understanding the pharmacokinetics, especially receptor binding properties as well as the pharmacodynamics of opiates, is essential for the substance abuse counselor. This is especially true since these drugs are serving as an example for the next frontier in substance abuse treatment, that is, Pharmacologically Assisted Addiction Management

• Discover at least two scholarly articles concerning methadone, buprenorphine, or both.
• Write a 3-page paper arguing from a pharmacokinetic point of view whether it is more advantageous to utilize methadone or buprenorphine in opiate dependent patients.
• To achieve maximum points for content and analysis, the following elements need to be thoroughly addressed:
  • A summary of the scholarly articles you discovered as support from your arguments.
  • A clear outline of your argument and why
• Ensure that you have cited and referenced at least two scholarly sources.