Higher doses of buprenorphine may improve treatment outcomes for people with opioid use disorder

A study funded by the NIH found that adults with opioid use disorder (OUD) who take higher doses of buprenorphine, an opioid addiction treatment medication, have a lower risk of emergency department or inpatient visits related to behavioral health than those taking the recommended dose. The study analyzed insurance claims data from over 35,000 individuals between 2016 and 2021. It showed that those taking 16-24 mg per day experienced 20% longer delays before needing urgent care, and those taking over 24 mg delayed such visits by 50%, compared to those on lower doses.

As fentanyl drives overdose deaths, these findings suggest that higher doses of buprenorphine may be necessary for managing OUD more effectively, especially in cases involving fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid. Researchers highlighted the importance of revisiting dosing guidelines and addressing barriers such as state laws and insurance policies that limit access to higher doses.

While the study offers important insights, it was limited by its focus on individuals with commercial insurance, predominantly non-Hispanic white, and did not include uninsured or Medicaid patients. Future research should examine the effects of higher doses across diverse populations and explore long-term outcomes like treatment retention.