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Identifying Optimal Buprenorphine Dosing for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment and Prevention of Overdose

Phase 2
Recruiting
Conditions
Opioid Use Disorder
Interventions
Drug: Buprenorphine
Registration Number
NCT06316830
Lead Sponsor
Rhode Island Hospital
Brief Summary

The investigators aim to test the effectiveness of a high maintenance daily dose of buprenorphine (24 mg) for improving outcomes among patients who used fentanyl compared to the standard daily dose (16 mg).

The main question it aims to answer is: will patients who are randomly assigned to the high 24 mg maintenance dose, as compared to patients randomly assigned to the standard 16 mg maintenance dose, have improved retention in buprenorphine treatment (primary outcome), decreased use of non-prescribed opioids (secondary outcome), decreased opioid cravings (secondary outcome), and decreased risk of fatal and non-fatal opioid overdose (secondary outcome).

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
250
Inclusion Criteria
  • English-speaking
  • Age 18 years-old or older
  • Identified by the treating physician as having moderate to severe opioid use disorder (OUD)
  • Initiating or continuing buprenorphine for treatment of opioid use disorder
  • History of fentanyl use (confirmed by fentanyl positive urine drug screen (UDS) at intake OR if on buprenorphine maintenance treatment fentanyl plus a positive UDS within the last month OR self- reported ongoing fentanyl use during treatment)
Exclusion Criteria
  • Previous enrollment in the trial
  • Incarcerated or in police custody
  • Pregnant
  • Live outside of Rhode Island (RI)
  • Unable to provide informed consent
  • Allergy to Buprenorphine

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
High Maintenance Daily Dose (24mg)BuprenorphineThe experimental intervention is a high daily maintenance dose of buprenorphine (24 mg) plus any usual clinical care the participant receives at the clinic. This high daily dose is the upper limit of the FDA-approved dose range 35-37 and was selected based on preclinical studies, clinician anecdotes, case reports, and retrospective analyses suggesting improved effectiveness of higher buprenorphine doses among patients with a history of fentanyl use. Underlying pharmacodynamic principles support that the 24 mg daily dose of buprenorphine is likely to be well-tolerated, safe, and better control cravings among people with a history of fentanyl use.
Standard Maintenance Daily Dose (16mg)BuprenorphineThe control intervention is the FDA-recommended target daily maintenance dose of buprenorphine (16 mg) plus any usual clinical care the participant receives at the clinic.
High Maintenance Daily Dose (24mg)BuprenorphineThe experimental intervention is a high daily maintenance dose of buprenorphine (24 mg) plus any usual clinical care the participant receives at the clinic. This high daily dose is the upper limit of the FDA-approved dose range and was selected based on preclinical studies, clinician anecdotes, case reports, and retrospective analyses suggesting improved effectiveness of higher buprenorphine doses among patients with a history of fentanyl use. Underlying pharmacodynamic principles support that the 24 mg daily dose of buprenorphine is likely to be well-tolerated, safe, and better control cravings among people with a history of fentanyl use.
Standard Maintenance Daily Dose (16mg)BuprenorphineThe control intervention is the FDA-recommended target daily maintenance dose of buprenorphine (16 mg) plus any usual clinical care the participant receives at the clinic.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Treatment Engagementsix months post-randomization

The primary outcome is the percentage of participants retained in buprenorphine treatment. Participants will be classified as retained in buprenorphine treatment at six months post- randomization if (1) the study site data indicate that they remained engaged in treatment or (2) the PDMP suggest that they continued treatment elsewhere and have not had a gap of more than 27 days in medication on-hand based on fill dates and days' supply.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Control of Opioid Cravingssix months post-randomization

Measured using patient reported outcomes via the Opioid Craving Scale, a reliable, validated scale for people with opioid use disorder. The scale consists of three questions related to opioid cravings rated on a scale of 1-10 with 1 being not at all and 10 being extremely. A higher score denotes increased opioid cravings.

Treatment response based on use of non-prescribed opioidssix months post-randomization

Non-prescribed fentanyl and other opioid use will be assessed via urine drug screens including fentanyl (UDS) and self-report. UDS will be assessed monthly for six months after study enrollment. Self-reported will be assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months via a Time Line Followback (TLFB) assessing ongoing non-prescribed opioid/fentanyl over the preceding two weeks. Based on UDS and self-reported data, participants will be classified as treatment responders if they have (1) no evidence (negative UDS and negative self-report) of non-prescribed opioid use at ≥1 assessment in months 1 to 3 AND (2) no evidence of non-prescribed opioid use at ≥2 assessments in months 4 to 6.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Brown University

🇺🇸

Providence, Rhode Island, United States

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