Early Remission of Opioid Use Disorder in an Adolescent Using Buprenorphine Extended - Release Subcutaneous...

Area of Science:

• Addiction medicine
• Adolescent health
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a critical public health issue, exacerbated by synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
• Current FDA-approved buprenorphine treatments for OUD in adolescents (16-17 years) are limited to sublingual and subdermal formulations.
• A significant gap exists in medication-based OUD treatment for pediatric patients.

Observation:

• This case report details the novel application of buprenorphine extended-release subcutaneous injection in a 17-year-old diagnosed with OUD.
• The adolescent patient achieved early remission after four months of consistent treatment with the extended-release injection.

Findings:

• The use of buprenorphine extended-release subcutaneous injection demonstrated early success in treating OUD in a high-risk adolescent.
• This case provides evidence supporting the potential efficacy of extended-release buprenorphine formulations for pediatric OUD management.

Implications:

• Although not FDA-approved for pediatric use, buprenorphine extended-release injections may offer a vital treatment avenue for adolescents with OUD.
• The findings underscore the urgent need for expanded research and accessible treatment options for OUD in the pediatric population, given rising overdose deaths.
• This case highlights the importance of considering innovative treatment strategies to address the opioid crisis in youth.