The most modern method of substitution treatment of opiate dependants with Buprenorphine/Naloxone (Suboxone) has been implemented in Department of Psychiatry in Tuzla from 27 July 2009. The treatment helps in discovering of hepatitis C infected intravenous users (IVUs), who are included in treatment of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) with Pegylated interferon-alpha-2a or Pegylated interferon-alpha-2b and the antiviral drug Ribavarin for a period of 24 or 48 weeks, depending on hepatitis C virus genotype.

To assess epidemiological characteristics of treated opiate dependant IVUs infected with HCV in outpatient administering of substitution medicament Suboxone in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The study was carried out in northeast part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in August 2009-October 2011. We assessed 112 (eleven females) opiate addicts aged 27.2 ± 4.9 years who were in medically assisted treatment with Suboxone. In the sample we found 29 (25.9) of 112, (four females) who were HCV infected.

There were 61 (54.5%) of 112 who were IVUs. HCV infected and non-infected opiate addicts did not differ regarding age, age of the first drug intake, age of the first IV use, level of retention in Suboxone treatment and daily dose of Suboxone (P > 0.05). HCV positive drug users significantly more often did intake heroin intravenously inside one month before Suboxone treatment (p < 0.001).

Medically assisted outpatient treatment of opiate dependence with Suboxone helps in discovering of HCV infected individuals and helps in recovery of both: opiate dependency and HCV infected with simultaneous treatment of chronic (HCV) with Pegylated interferon 2a/b with Ribavarin.