Buprenorphine use and disparities in access among emergency department patients with opioid use disorder: A cross-sectional study

Buprenorphine, a partial mu-opioid agonist and kappa-opioid antagonist, is an approved treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). Studies demonstrate that buprenorphine decreases cravings for other opioids, effectively ameliorates withdrawal symptoms, and decreases opioid overdose and mortality. However, buprenorphine remains under-utilized. Despite its low potential for misuse, research has reported wide use of non –prescribed buprenorphine, seemingly for its effectiveness in treating withdrawal and helping to maintain sobriety.
Source: Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment - Category: Addiction Authors: Source Type: research