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ABSTRACT: Objective
Emergency department (ED)-initiated buprenorphine may prevent overdose. Microdosing is a novel approach that does not require withdrawal, which can be a barrier to standard inductions. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of an ED-initiated buprenorphine/naloxone program providing standard-dosing and microdosing take-home packages and of randomizing patients to either intervention.Methods
We broadly screened patients ?18 years old for opioid use disorder at a large, urban ED. In a first phase, we provided consecutive patients with 3-day standard-dosing packages, and then we provided a subsequent group with 6-day microdosing packages. In a second phase, we randomized patients to standard dosing or microdosing. We attempted 7-day telephone follow-ups and 30-day in-person community follow-ups. The primary feasibility outcome was number of patients enrolled and accepting randomization. Secondary outcomes were numbers screened, follow-up rates, and 30-day opioid agonist therapy retention.Results
We screened 3954 ED patients and identified 94 with opioid use disorders. Of the patients, 26 (27.7%) declined participation: 10 identified a negative prior experience with buprenorphine/naloxone as the reason, 5 specifically cited precipitated withdrawal, and none cited randomization. We enrolled 68 patients. A total of 14 left the ED against medical advice, 8 were excluded post-enrollment, 21 received standard dosing, and 25 received microdosing. The 7-day and 30-day follow-up rates were 9/46 (19.6%) and 15/46 (32.6%), respectively. At least 5/21 (23.8%) provided standard dosing and 8/25 (32.0%) provided microdosing remained on opioid agonist therapy at 30 days.Conclusions
ED-initiated take-home standard-dosing and microdosing buprenorphine/naloxone programs are feasible, and a randomized controlled trial would be acceptable to our target population.
SUBMITTER: Moe J
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7771760 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Moe Jessica J Badke Katherin K Pratt Megan M Cho Raymond Y RY Azar Pouya P Flemming Heather H Sutherland K Anne KA Harvey Barbara B Gurney Lara L Lockington Julie J Brasher Penny P Gill Sam S Garrod Emma E Bath Misty M Kestler Andy A
Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians open 20201020 6
<h4>Objective</h4>Emergency department (ED)-initiated buprenorphine may prevent overdose. Microdosing is a novel approach that does not require withdrawal, which can be a barrier to standard inductions. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of an ED-initiated buprenorphine/naloxone program providing standard-dosing and microdosing take-home packages and of randomizing patients to either intervention.<h4>Methods</h4>We broadly screened patients ≥18 years old for opioid use disorder at a large, urb ...[more]