Comparing the Effects of Methadone, Buprenorphine, and Opium Tincture Maintenance Therapy on Sexual Function

BACKGROUND: Opioid use disorder is a major concern to public health, and opioid maintenance treatment on methadone or buprenorphine is a widely used approach. On the other hand, in recent years, there has been more regards for the use of opium tincture for detoxification and maintenance treatment of opioid dependence in certain parts of the world. The purpose of our research was to compare sexual impairments of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), buprenorphine maintenance treatment (BMT), and opium tincture maintenance treatment (OMT) in patients. METHODS: The study sample consisted of opium-addicted men candidates for maintenance treatment in an addiction quitting clinic in Tehran, Iran, from November 2017 to February 2018. Participants (n = 84) were randomly assigned to three groups (of the equal number), receiving either methadone tablet, buprenorphine sublingual tablet, and opium tincture. The average score for sexual function was evaluated using the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) at the beginning and after 3 months after treatment. FINDINGS: Although there was no significant different in ASEX scores between the groups at the beginning and end of the study (P > 0.05), but the difference was significant in each group in comparing by themselves. CONCLUSION: These results showed that sexual dysfunction became better after opioid substitution therapies, and no differences were observed on sexual dysfunction between the three groups.