Article Recommended by Dr. Sarah Christensen: Low-dose Induction of Buprenorphine in Pregnancy: A Case Series

The article presents a small case series involving six patients who underwent a total of 10 low-dose buprenorphine inductions, offering valuable insights into treating opioid use disorder (OUD) in pregnant individuals. Despite the limited sample size, the study sheds light on a critical aspect of OUD treatment often overlooked in larger trials, highlighting the importance of addressing this gap in research. Notably, none of the inductions resulted in precipitated withdrawal, with detailed regimens provided for each patient, underscoring the safety and efficacy of this approach. Additionally, observations regarding maintenance doses raise intriguing questions about optimizing treatment outcomes for pregnant patients with OUD, pointing towards the need for further research to explore personalized dosing strategies and their impact on abstinence rates.

The study also discusses various low-dose buprenorphine initiation protocols, emphasizing the importance of individualized care and patient-centeredness in treatment. While the study protocol used split buprenorphine-naloxone films and took less than a week, the authors stress the need for flexibility and adaptation to patients' clinical presentations. Additionally, the discussion highlights the challenges and considerations in both inpatient and outpatient settings, underscoring the importance of developing comprehensive clinical guidance to optimize treatment initiation rates and improve medication adherence. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the management of OUD in pregnancy and demonstrates the need for further research to address the ongoing overdose and maternal mortality crises.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37862120/