Lead: Injectable-Only Overlapping Buprenorphine Starting Protocol in a Low-Threshold Setting

Injectable-Only Overlapping Buprenorphine Starting Protocol in a Low-Threshold Setting 

JAMA Network Open 

Injectable-only buprenorphine protocols are an exciting new strategy for buprenorphine initiation, particularly in the fentanyl era. This is a cohort study of 95 patients with moderate to severe opioid use disorder who received care in a low-threshold setting in Seattle. 79% of patients included in the study were experiencing homelessness or living in permanent supportive housing. Patients selected a long-acting injectable (LAI) buprenorphine initiation protocol which included three escalating doses of LAI buprenorphine over three days, with no sublingual buprenorphine and without cessation of fentanyl/opioid use. 75% of the patients completed the protocol, and 64% received a second monthly dose of LAI buprenorphine.

 

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