Higher Daily Doses Of Buprenorphine Associated With Lower Urgent Health Care Utilization

Urgent health care utilization was lower among commercially insured adults with opioid use disorder (OUD) taking buprenorphine to treat OUD at doses higher than currently recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A high dose was defined as above 16 milligrams (mg) and up to 24 mg. The FDA-recommended dose is between 8 mg and 16 mg. People with OUD who use fentanyl often need higher doses of buprenorphine.

About 12.5% of those taking buprenorphine experienced an emergency department visit or inpatient service. Those who were taking buprenorphine at doses higher than 16 mg had . . .