Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 9, 2026
Less-Invasive Technique for Non-stabilized Mandibular Fracture in Mouse Models
Published on: September 27, 2024
Pathways to 7-day Extended-release Buprenorphine (CAM2038) Administration in Emergency Department and Hospitalized
Alexander Logan1, Johanna Sluser, Marlene Martin
1Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco and Division of Hospital Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA (AL, JS, MM).
Objectives:
To describe the clinical contexts, population characteristics, and outcomes of extended-release buprenorphine (CAM2038 7-day depot formulation) administration in emergency department and hospitalized patients with opioid use disorder primarily using fentanyl.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective case series of patients who received CAM2038 at an urban safety-net hospital between June 2024 and June 2025. We collected data from electronic health records, including demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes. Outcomes included opioid withdrawal severity, buprenorphine-precipitated withdrawal, patient-directed discharge, and 30-day linkage to care within our health care system.
Results:
Thirty-seven patients received CAM2038, with 33 utilizing CAM2038 to initiate buprenorphine and 4 transitioning from another formulation of therapeutic buprenorphine. Most patients (91.9%) primarily used fentanyl. Among patients using CAM2038 to initiate buprenorphine, 25 patients (75.8%) received pretreatment of opioid withdrawal with short-acting full agonist opioids. Two patients (6%) had suspected precipitated withdrawal. Among patients with documented Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale scores post-injection (n=24), 91.7% experienced minimal-to-mild withdrawal (score <12). Patient-directed discharge was uncommon (10.8%), and 47% of patients linked to buprenorphine treatment within 30 days.
Conclusions:
CAM2038 administration, including for the initiation of therapeutic buprenorphine, seems to be feasible and well-tolerated in inpatient and emergency department settings, with low rates of precipitated withdrawal and patient-directed discharge. The use of short-acting opioids for initial withdrawal management may contribute to successful outcomes. These findings support CAM2038 as a valuable option for treating opioid use disorder in the emergency department and hospital settings, particularly among patients who use fentanyl.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Drug Delivery: Enteral Route
01:22Routes of Drug Administration: Overview
Enteral administration refers to drugs absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. They can be swallowed (perorally), placed under the tongue (sublingually), or on the inner lining of the cheeks (buccally). Perorally administered drugs take time to be absorbed and have a slower onset of action. The rectal route is another form of enteral administration, which allows for...
01:15Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
01:18Routes of Drug Administration: Enteral
Enteral administration involves drug administration via the mouth in two ways: orally or sublingually.
Unlike sublingually drugs, drugs that are taken orally pass through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and get metabolized by the liver. Once metabolized, the drug is absorbed into the systemic circulation, reaching different body parts via the bloodstream. However, while passing through the stomach,...
01:25Routes of Drug Administration: Parenteral
The intravenous route (IV) of drug administration can be further categorized into two types. The bolus injection administers the entire dose rapidly, while an intravenous infusion slowly delivers smaller doses steadily.
The IV route is often...
01:22Drug Delivery: Miscellaneous Routes
Oral inhalation and nasal sprays swiftly transfer drugs across the respiratory epithelium's mucosal layer. Inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators directly target lung conditions such as asthma, while fluticasone nasal spray mitigates allergic rhinitis.
Transdermal patches transport drugs...