Improving the initiation of buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder
Official title: Enhancing buprenorphine low dose initiation (COPILOT)
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10864837 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a gentle way to start treatment with buprenorphine for people struggling with opioid use, especially those using fentanyl, by slowly increasing the dose to help ease withdrawal symptoms and make it easier to stick with the treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $197,748 |
| NIH project number | 1K23DA060329-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10864837 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals struggling with opioid use disorder, particularly those using fentanyl and facing challenges with traditional buprenorphine initiation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not using opioids or those who have already successfully initiated buprenorphine treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the initiation process of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder, particularly for individuals using fentanyl. The study employs a Low Dose Initiation (LDI) approach, where small amounts of buprenorphine are gradually increased to minimize withdrawal symptoms. By addressing barriers to treatment completion and retention, the research aims to improve patient outcomes and increase the uptake of this life-saving medication. Participants will be monitored and supported throughout the process to ensure a smoother transition into treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and safer initiation of buprenorphine treatment, ultimately reducing overdose deaths and improving recovery rates for individuals with opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary findings suggest that Low Dose Initiation protocols are becoming the standard for buprenorphine initiation among fentanyl users in San Francisco, indicating a promising approach that warrants further investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Suen, Leslie W. — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Suen, Leslie W.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.