Background and objectives: Highly potent synthetic opioids (HPSO) are increasingly responsible for opioid overdose deaths in the United States.
Methods: In an open-label, uncontrolled trial to test the feasibility of extended-release buprenorphine (BXR) injection treatment of heroin-using individuals with opioid use disorder testing positive for HPSO, participants were enrolled and began an induction with sublingual BXR (n = 5). During the induction, ancillary medications (clonidine, clonazepam, zolpidem, and prochlorperazine) were provided for breakthrough opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Results: Two participants received the BXR injection on the second day of the induction and three participants on the third day.
Discussion and conclusion: All five participants were retained at least 1-month postinduction.
Scientific significance: It may be feasible to provide BXR treatment to HPSO-positive heroin users rapidly to achieve clinical stabilization. (Am J Addict 2020;00:00-00).
© 2020 American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry.