Low-dose extended-release buprenorphine to make starting treatment easier
Extended release buprenorphine as a novel low-dose induction strategy
This project tries a low-dose extended-release buprenorphine injection to help people with opioid use disorder begin buprenorphine treatment without severe withdrawal.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11137567 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have opioid use disorder and come to the emergency department or clinic, researchers will offer a single low-dose extended-release buprenorphine injection as a way to start medication more quickly. The plan is to give a smaller-than-usual buprenorphine dose before withdrawal begins, monitor you for withdrawal and side effects, and collect follow-up information and blood samples over several days. This approach is meant to avoid a multi-day pill titration and the need to keep taking full opioid agonists during induction. The pilot will compare this low-dose injection approach to current initiation methods to see how well people tolerate it and whether it prevents precipitated withdrawal.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with opioid use disorder who want to start buprenorphine treatment in the emergency department or outpatient clinic setting may be eligible.
Not a fit: People who are not trying to start buprenorphine or who have medical contraindications to buprenorphine or injectable treatments may not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make beginning buprenorphine faster and safer and lower the risk of precipitated withdrawal.
How similar studies have performed: Case reports and small observational series suggest low-dose "micro-dosing" can reduce precipitated withdrawal, but using an early extended-release buprenorphine injection is a newer approach with limited trial data.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Suzuki, Joji — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Suzuki, Joji
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 below.