Use of tincture of opium compared to oral morphine for the treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the difference in time until medical clearance when comparing tincture of opium (TO) to oral morphine (OM) in the treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review conducted from May 2007 to July 2011.

SETTING

Level III Neonatal Intensive Care unit at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, New Jersey.

PATIENTS,

PARTICIPANTS

Clinical Drug Utilization reports identified 26 neonates who were treated with TO and 25 neonates who were treated with OM for NAS. No patients were excluded.

INTERVENTIONS: Patients were treated with either TO or OM for the indication of NAS.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The primary outcome is to compare the time it takes for a baby being treated with TO versus OM for NAS to be medically cleared for discharge.

RESULTS

The median time until medical clearance for those treated with TO was 29.5 days compared to 37 days for those treated with OM (p = 0.14).

CONCLUSION

There was no statistically significant difference in the time it takes for a baby being treated with TO versus OM for NAS to be medically cleared for discharge. There are a number of safety benefits in using OM compared to TO. Until further data are collected, it is appropriate to continue treatment of neonates with NAS with OM.