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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2007, 09, 1 (pages: 5 - 24)

Effects of Opioid Pharmacotherapy on Psychomotor and Cognitive Performance: A Review of Human Laboratory Studies of Methadone and Buprenorphine

Mintzer M. Z.

Summary: Opioid pharmacotherapy can provide the stability necessary to initiate lifestyle changes, obtain steady employment and function in society. Thus, a critical question is the extent to which pharmacotherapy is associated with impairment in psychomotor and cognitive performance that might affect functioning. In this article, I review human laboratory studies of the effects of the most common opioid pharmacotherapies, methadone and buprenorphine, on psychomotor and cognitive performance (both observational group comparison and experimental drug administration studies) and the effects of withdrawal from opioid pharmacotherapy on performance. I then outline some recommendations for further study in this area.