Successful rotation from long-acting full agonist opioids to sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone using a microdosing
René C Vytialingam1, Stephan A Schug2, Richard O'Regan3
1Consultant in Addiction Medicine, Next Step Drug and Alcohol Services, Mental Health Commission, Western Australia, Perth, Australia. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2266-4353.
Abstract:
Buprenorphine/naloxone (BPN/NX) is a first-line treatment for opioid use disorder. Conventional treatment guidelines recommend a period of opioid abstinence and the presence of moderate withdrawal before initiation to avoid precipitated withdrawal. A newer approach of "microdosing" removes this requirement and has potential benefits. We present two cases of successful induction of BPN/NX using a microdosing regimen in an inpatient withdrawal unit. Both cases did not result in precipitated withdrawal and did not necessitate prior cessation of other opioids. This case report highlights how the use of microdosing to induct BPN/NX treatment can reduce potential barriers and complications with treatment initiation.
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