What do systematic reviews say?

Full or partial opioid agonist maintenance vs placebo, detoxification only or psychological treatment (buprenorphine maintenance compared to taper or treatment

It is very uncertain whether full or partial opioid agonist maintenance changes adverse events compared with placebo, detoxification only or psychological treatment… (very low certainty).

• Opioid agonist treatment for people who are dependent on pharmaceutical opioids 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.5 [0.07, 3.48]
  3 studies · 252 participants
  Very low

Methadone vs buprenorphine

Methadone showed no clear difference in serious adverse events for the child compared with buprenorphine (low certainty).

• Maintenance agonist treatments for opiate‐dependent pregnant women 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 4.77 [0.59, 38.49]
  1 study · 131 participants
  Low

Methadone vs buprenorphine

Methadone showed no clear difference in serious adverse events for the mother compared with buprenorphine (low certainty).

• Maintenance agonist treatments for opiate‐dependent pregnant women 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.69 [0.75, 3.83]
  1 study · 175 participants
  Low

Dihydrocodeine vs buprenorphine

• Dihydrocodeine for detoxification and maintenance treatment in individuals with opiate use disorders 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  2 studies · 150 participants
  Low

Morphine vs buprenorphine

It is very uncertain whether morphine changes adverse events (treatment‐related) To discharge compared with buprenorphine (very low certainty).

• Opioid treatment for opioid withdrawal in newborn infants 2021 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.33 [0.01, 7.5]
  3 studies · 113 participants
  Very low