Comparing Rapid Micro-Induction and Standard Induction of Buprenorphine/Naloxone for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder

Summary

The current first-line treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) in Canada is buprenorphine/naloxone (bup/nx). The standard induction method of bup/nx requires patients to be abstinent from opioids and thereby experience withdrawal symptoms prior to induction, which can be a major barrier in starting treatment. Rapid micro-induction (also known as micro-dosing, low-dose induction) involves the administration of small, frequent does of bup/nx and removes the need for a period of withdrawal prior to the start of treatment. This study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of rapid micro-induction versus standard induction of bup/nx in patients with OUD.

Timeline

Start

2021-08-18

Primary completion

2025-01

Completion

2025-01

Publications

• Background Sandhu R, Zivanovic R, Klaire S, Nikoo M, Rozylo J, Azar P. Buprenorphine/naloxone induction for treatment of acute on chronic pain using a micro-dosing regimen: A case report. Can J Pain. 2019 Apr 25;3(1):79-84. doi: 10.1080/24740527.2019.1599279. eCollection 2019.
• Background Klaire S, Zivanovic R, Barbic SP, Sandhu R, Mathew N, Azar P. Rapid micro-induction of buprenorphine/naloxone for opioid use disorder in an inpatient setting: A case series. Am J Addict. 2019 Jul;28(4):262-265. doi: 10.1111/ajad.12869. Epub 2019 Mar 22.
• Background Hammig R, Kemter A, Strasser J, von Bardeleben U, Gugger B, Walter M, Dursteler KM, Vogel M. Use of microdoses for induction of buprenorphine treatment with overlapping full opioid agonist use: the Bernese method. Subst Abuse Rehabil. 2016 Jul 20;7:99-105. doi: 10.2147/SAR.S109919. eCollection 2016.
• Background Vogel M, Kock P, Strasser J, Wiesbeck G, Walter M, Dursteler KM. Chronic High-Dose Buprenorphine Does Not Block Subjective High from Diacetylmorphine in a Patient in Heroin-Assisted Treatment. J Psychoactive Drugs. 2019 Sep-Oct;51(4):377-382. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2019.1610200. Epub 2019 May 2.
• Background Kampman K, Jarvis M. American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) National Practice Guideline for the Use of Medications in the Treatment of Addiction Involving Opioid Use. J Addict Med. 2015 Sep-Oct;9(5):358-67. doi: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000166.
• Wong JSH, Nikoo M, Westenberg JN, Suen JG, Wong JYC, Krausz RM, Schutz CG, Vogel M, Sidhu JA, Moe J, Arishenkoff S, Griesdale D, Mathew N, Azar P. Comparing rapid micro-induction and standard induction of buprenorphine/naloxone for treatment of opioid use disorder: protocol for an open-label, parallel-group, superiority, randomized controlled trial. Addict Sci Clin Pract. 2021 Feb 12;16(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s13722-021-00220-2.

Drugs

Indications