Which medications are commonly used to manage both opioid dependence and pain?

Buprenorphine and methadone are both medications that play significant roles in the management of opioid dependence and can also be utilized for pain management.

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, which means it activates the opioid receptors in the brain but to a lesser extent than full agonists like heroin or morphine. This results in a ceiling effect, which lowers the risk of misuse and overdose compared to traditional opioids. It is commonly used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for those with opioid use disorder while also being effective for chronic pain relief.

Methadone, on the other hand, is a full opioid agonist that has been used for many years in the treatment of opioid dependence as well as for therapeutic pain management. It works by fully activating opioid receptors, providing pain relief while helping manage symptoms of withdrawal and cravings in individuals recovering from opioid addiction.

The other options presented contain either medications that are primarily used for pain relief, such as oxycodone, hydromorphone, fentanyl, and codeine, or over-the-counter analgesics like acetaminophen and ibuprofen that do not have roles in addressing opioid dependence. While they may be effective for pain, they do not serve the dual purpose of aiding in