Higher buprenorphine doses help patients stay in opioid use disorder treatment, new study finds

A new study indicates that higher daily doses of buprenorphine significantly improve retention in opioid use disorder treatment. Patients receiving 17 to 24 milligrams per day remained in care for an average of 190 days, compared to 90 days for those on 8 milligrams or less, according to researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. However, the study of 5,000 Medicaid patients in Philadelphia also revealed that Black patients are less likely than white patients to receive these higher doses. This disparity suggests potential inequities in healthcare access or prescribing practices. The findings underscore the importance of optimal dosing for treatment efficacy and highlight the need to address racial disparities in buprenorphine prescription.