The research revealed that patients on doses exceeding 24 mg of buprenorphine experienced a 50% longer duration before requiring emergency or inpatient care compared to those on lower doses.

Additionally, those taking higher doses between 16 to 24 mg had 20% longer intervals before needing emergency services than patients on lower doses.

While physicians can prescribe higher doses off-label, access is often restricted by costs and insurance caps, limiting treatment options for patients suffering from OUD and chronic pain.

Dr. Lucinda Grande noted the study's potential to influence healthcare policy and its significant economic implications for healthcare systems.

Dr. Grande pointed out that the exclusion of Medicaid patients from this study suggests that including them could further strengthen the case for higher dosing.

A recent study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicates that higher daily doses of buprenorphine could significantly improve management of opioid use disorder (OUD).

As fentanyl has emerged as the predominant illicit opioid, the original dosing guidelines from the FDA for buprenorphine may no longer suffice.

The study, led by Dr. Sarah Axeen from the University of Southern California, was published on September 25 in JAMA Network Open and uniquely focused on high doses of buprenorphine, which have shown the most substantial long-term benefits.

These findings challenge existing dosing recommendations from the FDA and highlight the inadequacy of current insurance caps, particularly in light of the increasing fentanyl overdose crisis.

The American Medical Association (AMA) has voiced its support for the study, urging policymakers to revise dosing guidelines and eliminate insurance restrictions on buprenorphine.

The study analyzed insurance claims data from over 35,000 individuals diagnosed with OUD who began buprenorphine treatment from 2016 to 2021.

Bobby Mukkamala, MD, president-elect of the AMA, emphasized the necessity for flexible dosing of buprenorphine to effectively address the fentanyl overdose epidemic.