Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41199383›Full record

ArticleAddiction science & clinical practice2025

Simplified rapid low-dose buprenorphine induction method for individuals using fentanyl: a case series.

Ryan Alexander, Noah Woford

Abstract read
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Article in Addiction science & clinical practice, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Ryan AlexanderMcNabb Center, 5310 Ball Camp Pike, Knoxville, TN, 37921, USA. Ryan.alexander@mcnabb.org.
Noah WofordLincoln Memorial University - DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, 6965 Cumberland Gap Pkwy, Harrogate, TN, 37752, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesAmong individuals with opioid use disorder using fentanyl, standard initial doses (2-4 mg) of buprenorphine may precipitate withdrawal, often preventing successful induction. Rapid low-dose induction is an emerging approach designed to mitigate this risk. This study describes a simplified rapid low-dose buprenorphine induction protocol in facilitating treatment initiation among patients presenting to an outpatient clinic.

methodsThis case series includes chart review data from nine patients with opioid use disorder treated at an outpatient substance use clinic who were initiated on buprenorphine-naloxone maintenance therapy. All had recent fentanyl use confirmed by UDS. Patients were instructed to follow a simplified induction protocol consisting of 1 mg of buprenorphine-naloxone, via 1/8th of an 8 - 2 mg sublingual film, administered at home hourly for 8 h, followed by maintenance dosing of 8 mg twice daily. Patients were advised to wait at least 24 h since last fentanyl use prior to initiating the induction protocol. Successful induction was defined as being on maintenance treatment at a follow-up appointment one week later.

resultsOf the nine patients who began the rapid low-dose induction protocol, seven successfully transitioned to buprenorphine-naloxone maintenance by the 7-day follow-up. Two patients did not return for follow-up.

conclusionIn this case series, the simplified rapid low-dose buprenorphine induction protocol was well-tolerated and 77.8% of patients using fentanyl were able to successfully initiate buprenorphine-naloxone maintenance. Benefits of this protocol are use of a single, standard dose of buprenorphine-naloxone, rapid induction timeline over only 8 h, and simple patient instructions.

Indexed as

Analgesics, OpioidBuprenorphineBuprenorphine, Naloxone Drug CombinationFentanylNarcotic AntagonistsOpiate Substitution TreatmentOpioid-Related DisordersAdultFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSubstance Withdrawal SyndromeAnalgesics, OpioidBuprenorphineBuprenorphine, Naloxone Drug CombinationFentanylNarcotic AntagonistsBuprenorphineDetoxLow dose inductionMedication for opioid use disorderOpioid use disorderPrecipitated withdrawal

Identifiers

PMID41199383
PMCPMC12590818

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.