Starting low-dose buprenorphine treatment for people using fentanyl

Rapid outpatient low-dose initiation of buprenorphine for individuals with OUD using fentanyl

NIH-funded research University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10907800

This study is looking at a new way to start treatment with buprenorphine for people struggling with opioid use disorder, especially those using fentanyl, to see if a low-dose method can help them avoid painful withdrawal symptoms and make it easier for them to get the help they need.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pennsylvania NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-10907800 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a new method for initiating buprenorphine treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) who have been using fentanyl. The study aims to determine the safety and effectiveness of a low-dose approach that avoids the painful withdrawal symptoms typically associated with starting treatment. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a standard initiation method or a novel micro-dose method, with the goal of making treatment more accessible and acceptable. The research will involve 60 subjects recruited from the University of Pennsylvania's Center for the Studies of Addiction.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with untreated opioid use disorder who have recently used fentanyl.

Not a fit: Patients who are not currently using opioids or those who have already initiated treatment with buprenorphine may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective and less painful way for individuals with OUD to start treatment, potentially leading to better recovery outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using low-dose approaches for opioid treatment, but this specific method is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, 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 2026-06-13 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.