Improving Buprenorphine Initiation Among Individuals With Opioid Use Disorder Using Fentanyl
University of California, San Francisco
Summary
The goal of this pragmatic randomized controlled trial is to compare treatment outcomes of two strategies for initiating buprenorphine treatment (low-dose initiation and direct-to-inject) in adults with opioid use disorder (OUD) who use fentanyl. This study aims to: 1. Compare effectiveness of each strategy on treatment retention in a real world, clinical setting, and 2. Assess differences between strategies in patient-reported outcomes, including withdrawal symptoms, cravings, drug use, treatment satisfaction, and overall acceptability. Participants will: 1. Be randomized to initiate buprenorphine via a low-dose initiation or direct-to-inject protocol at an outpatient buprenorphine clinic, 2. Keep a diary of craving and withdrawal symptoms for the first 7 days after initiation, and 3. Visit the outpatient clinic 7, 30, and 90 days after initiation for urinary drug screen and follow-up surveys.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 years of age at Visit 1. * Documentation of an OUD diagnosis as evidenced by meeting two or more of the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) Criteria for Opioid Use Disorder * Self-reported daily use of fentanyl ≥ 5 out of the past 7 days at baseline, * Fentanyl-positive urine drug screening at baseline, * Interest in stopping or reducing fentanyl use, * Publicly insured through San Francisco Medicaid or Medicare and therefore able receive buprenorphine prescription dispensing through Community Behavioral Health Services (CB…
Interventions
- DrugInjectable buprenorphine
Starting dose (8-32mg) of long-acting injectable buprenorphine (Brixadi or Sublocade) on day 1, followed by monthly maintenance doses (e.g., 128mg Brixadi or 300mg Sublocade)
- DrugSublingual Buprenorphine (SUBOXONE, Zubsolv, or generic tablets)
Starting dose (0.5mg) of sublingual buprenorphine tablets in blister packs (Brixadi or Sublocade) on day 1, followed by 0.5-1.0mg daily increases in week 1 and maintenance dosing based on shared decision-making with provider
Location
- San Francisco Outpatient Buprenorphine Induction ClinicSan Francisco, California