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

Black patients were less likely to receive higher doses. This may reflect inequities in health care or misconceptions among patients that higher doses are unsafe.

By: Rachel French, University of Pennsylvania, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 10, 2026

Words: 833

Last Updated: 4 months, 4 weeks ago

Body Text Preview

By Rachel French, University of Pennsylvania

Patients who are prescribed higher daily doses of the medication buprenorphine for opioid use disorder are significantly more likely to stay in treatment. Those on 17 to 24 milligrams averaged 190 days in care compared to 90 days for those on 8 milligrams or less. Yet Black patients are less likely than white patients to receive the higher doses.

Those are the key findings of a study my …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us