Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)

Ben Johnson

Buprenorphine

Background 

  • Partial agonist at the mu opioid receptor with high binding affinity
  • Long half-life (24-36 hours) allows for daily dosing
  • TID dosing is more effective for acute pain (as the analgesic effect is shorter-lived)
  • OK to use in renal failure/HD; may reduce dose in hepatic injury or switch to monoptoduct buprenorphine (Child-Pugh Class C)
  • All non-pregnant patients should receive buprenorphine-naloxone (e.g. Suboxone) formulations to mitigate risk of diversion/injection

Management 

  • Induction:
    • All opioid medication must be held 12+ hours prior to first buprenorphine dose (typically, this opioid-free period is overnight from 9 PM to 9 AM), and recorded COWS score > 10 to mitigate risk of precipitated withdrawal
    • 2-4 mg is given SL, monitoring for oversedation; additional 2-4 mg is given q1h up to a total of 12 mg in first day
      • Only sedation or hypopnea should prevent a full 12 mg dose
    • Typical starting dose: 12-16mg/day SL
  • Maintenance:
    • 4-32mg SL daily; 16mg and above to suppress opioid use, 24 mg is sufficient in most cases
    • All patient on Suboxone must have a prescription at discharge and a follow-up appointment for continued outpatient treatment
      • No DEA waiver required; any physician may prescribe buprenorphine for OUD at discharge
  • Acute pain management in patients using buprenorphine:
    • There is no contraindication to full-agonist opioid analgesia for breakthrough pain
      • If the etiology of pts pain would require opioid therapy in a non-OUD patient, do not avoid opioids; these may be used safely in the hospital
    • Peri-operative pain management: continue buprenorphine at reduced and split doses (4mg BID or TID); will prevent withdrawal and cravings, but NOT manage new pain
    • Post-operatively: Reduce opioid requirements and increase buprenorphine to home dose
      • If buprenorphine was discontinued, will require induction procedure to avoid precipitated withdrawal

Methadone

Background 

  • Full mu opioid agonist with additional NMDA-receptor activity
  • Better option for individuals who cannot tolerate the buprenorphine induction procedure or with significant chronic or escalating pain
  • Long half life: 12-36 hrs
    • Limit titration to 10mg/d q7d, to prevent dose-stacking and delayed overdose
    • eg: 40 mg po qd increased to 50 mg po qd for one week prior to further titration to 60 mg po qd
  • Safe in renal failure; dose reduction for hepatic injury
  • Potential for QT prolongation at higher doses, warrants QTc monitoring

Management 

  • Induction:
    • In the hospital, start at 10 mg TID, holding doses for sedation or hypopnea
    • Lower doses if concerned for respiratory compromise or concurrent CNS depressant therapy
    • First dose cannot exceed 30 mg, and no more than 40 mg in first 24 hours; then titrate 5 mg/d q3d while admitted
      • Federally regulated titration limits

Maintenance

  • Must confirm dose with methadone clinic before restarting outpatient dose
  • Until then, do not give more than initial doses (30 mg in single dose, 40 mg in first 24 hours)
  • After confirming home dose, continue as single daily dose or divide if patient is experiencing an acute pain generator or has a medical reason for induction of metabolism (eg pregnancy may require split dosing in the 2nd/3rd trimester; medication interactions may have similar effects or require dose reduction if metabolism is inhibited)

Naltrexone 

  • Mu opioid antagonist
  • Half-life oral ~4 hours but clinically active ~24 hrs
  • IM maintains clinically effective levels up to 30 days (not available for inpatient administration)
  • Only IM formulation is evidence-based to prevent return-to-use of illicit opioids, though PO formulation can be useful to introduce medication
  • Can precipitate withdrawal
  • Requires 7-10 days opioid abstinence prior to initiation
  • If due for monthly injection while admitted, may substitute oral formulation (50mg po qd) until discharged to outpatient provider to receive injection

Additional Information 

  • Psychosocial Interventions that complement MOUD:
    • Consider referral to SUD counseling, mutual help (self-help, 12-step, AA), intensive outpatient, and short- or long-term residential treatment
  • Use of other drugs NOT a contraindication to MOUD; however, should encourage abstinence from other drugs during therapy (especially benzodiazepines)
  • Prescribe intranasal naloxone for overdose prevention to all OUD patients discharging from hospital, regardless of MOUD status
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