Treating Opioid Use Disorder in Primary Care: Practical Solutions to Real-World Questions

Area of Science:

• Addiction Medicine
• Primary Care
• Pharmacotherapy

Background:

• Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic, high-mortality disease.
• Current treatment access is insufficient and unequal.
• Primary care settings are ideal for chronic disease management, including OUD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide essential information for initiating and maintaining buprenorphine or naltrexone therapy.
• To address common questions regarding OUD pharmacotherapy in primary care.
• To highlight the role of primary care clinicians in improving OUD treatment access.

Main Methods:

• Review of current evidence and clinical guidelines for buprenorphine and naltrexone.
• Compilation of practical guidance for primary care providers.
• Development of a Q&A section for common patient and provider queries.

Main Results:

• Buprenorphine and naltrexone are effective medications for OUD treatment.
• Primary care integration can significantly enhance treatment accessibility.
• Guidance provided covers initiation, titration, and long-term management strategies.

Conclusions:

• Primary care clinicians can effectively manage OUD with buprenorphine or naltrexone.
• Expanding treatment into primary care settings is vital for reducing mortality and improving equity.
• This article serves as a practical resource for implementing evidence-based OUD pharmacotherapy.