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Case Series: Limited Opioid Withdrawal With Use of Transdermal Buprenorphine to Bridge to Sublingual Buprenorphine in Hospitalized Patients
Author(s) -
Tang Victor M.,
LamShangLeen Jessica,
Brothers Thomas D.,
Hansen Keith,
Caudarella Alexander,
Lamba Wiplove,
Guimond Tim
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1111/ajad.12964
Subject(s) - buprenorphine , medicine , transdermal , opioid , sublingual administration , anesthesia , opioid use disorder , retrospective cohort study , surgery , pharmacology , receptor
Background Prerequisite opioid withdrawal symptoms prior to buprenorphine induction are unacceptable to many patients. We assessed whether transdermal buprenorphine minimized withdrawal while bridging to sublingual therapy among hospital inpatients. Methods Retrospective chart review of ( n = 23) inpatients with opioid use disorder or opioid dependence due to chronic pain. Results Of 23 inpatients, 65% transitioned without symptoms, while 35% experienced mild withdrawal. Ninety‐six percent completed planned hospitalizations, with 83% engaged in treatment 4 weeks post‐discharge. Discussion and Conclusions Bridging to sublingual therapy with transdermal buprenorphine patches was feasible without withdrawal symptoms. Scientific Significance This strategy may facilitate buprenorphine therapy in hospital inpatients. (Am J Addict 2019;00:1–4)