American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) Practice Exam

Question: 1 / 1275

Which drug is known to act as both an opioid agonist and antagonist?

Aripiprazole

Naltrexone

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is recognized for its unique properties as both an opioid agonist and antagonist. It is a partial agonist at mu-opioid receptors, which means it activates these receptors but to a much lesser extent than full agonists like morphine or oxycodone. This property allows Buprenorphine to provide some pain relief and prevent withdrawal symptoms in individuals dependent on opioids while simultaneously having a ceiling effect that reduces the risk of respiratory depression and overdose.

Additionally, Buprenorphine has antagonist properties at kappa-opioid receptors. This dual action helps in managing opioid dependence by reducing cravings and withdrawal while also mitigating the euphoric effects that can lead to misuse. This makes it a valuable option in maintenance therapy for opioid use disorder.

In contrast, other medications listed primarily serve as either full agonists or pure antagonists, lacking the unique dual action of Buprenorphine.

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Methadone

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