one of the primary medications used to treat opioid use disorder - has been a critical bridge to recovery, helping to reduce illicit drug use and overdose deaths. But with the changing landscape of the illicit drug market, particularly the rise of the potent synthetic opioid fentanyl, health care providers have found that traditional treatment protocols aren't as effective as they used to be.
A new national survey, led by researchers at the Penn State College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh, found that nearly three-quarters of clinicians encountered significant obstacles when starting buprenorphine treatment for patients using fentanyl. More than 67% have modified their treatment protocols, such as adjusting dosages.
But this is more than a technical hurdle for health care providers, the researchers said. It's a major barrier for people seeking treatment for opioid use disorder who experience rapid withdrawal symptoms or prolonged symptoms as a result. The study, published in JAMA Open Network, highlights the complexity of treating opioid use disorder.
"It's a public health crisis. Buprenorphine is a lifesaving option due to its safety profile and ease of access," said lead author Sarah Kawasaki, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral health and of medicine at Penn State College of Medicine. "We need more research and updated clinical guidelines for the fentanyl era."
