Ceiling effect

In the context of opioid addiction treatment, the term "ceiling" refers to the ceiling effect, a pharmacological phenomenon that occurs when a drug reaches its maximum effect, and increasing the dose does not result in any further benefits or side effects. This concept is particularly relevant for medications like buprenorphine, which have a ceiling effect that reduces the risk of overdose. Specifically, buprenorphine’s safety is conferred by ceiling effects for respiratory depression, sedation, and subjective measures (euphoria), making it a very safe option for opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment. 

Historical context

The discovery of the ceiling effect in certain medications, such as buprenorphine, has played a significant role in the development of safer and more effective treatments for opioid addiction. It has allowed clinicians to provide medications for addiction treatment (MAT) with a reduced risk of side effects and overdose.