Comparing withdrawal and medication treatments for pregnant women with opioid use disorder

Medically-supervised withdrawal vs. agonist maintenance in the treatment of pregnant women with opioid use disorder: Maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10375543

This study is looking at two different ways to help pregnant women who are dealing with opioid use disorder—either going through a supervised withdrawal or using ongoing medication—and it aims to find out which method is safer and more effective for both moms and their babies.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-10375543 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the outcomes of two treatment approaches for pregnant women with opioid use disorder: medically-supervised withdrawal and opioid agonist treatment. The study will involve a matched cohort of women who will either undergo a short withdrawal process using buprenorphine or receive ongoing medication. Participants will receive comprehensive clinical care throughout their treatment, and the study aims to assess maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes to determine the safest and most effective approach. By analyzing data from multiple sites, the research seeks to provide clearer insights into the impacts of these treatment options.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women diagnosed with opioid use disorder who are seeking treatment options.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not have opioid use disorder may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment protocols for pregnant women with opioid use disorder, enhancing maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown mixed results regarding the effectiveness of these treatment approaches, indicating that this research is necessary to clarify the best practices.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.