Buprenorphine in the Intensive Care Unit: Commentary on the Unanswered Questions

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2025

Institution/Department

Pharmacy; Anesthesia

Journal Title

The Annals of pharmacotherapy

MeSH Headings

Buprenorphine (therapeutic use, administration & dosage); Humans; Intensive Care Units; Opioid-Related Disorders (drug therapy); Narcotic Antagonists (therapeutic use, administration & dosage); Opiate Substitution Treatment (methods); Analgesics, Opioid (therapeutic use, administration & dosage); Drug Interactions

Abstract

The removal of the X-waiver in the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act of 2023 has substantial implications for buprenorphine prescribing as one of the options to treat opioid use disorder. The purpose of this commentary is to discuss the unanswered questions regarding buprenorphine in the intensive care unit (ICU) including how the passage of the MAT Act will affect ICU providers, which patients should receive buprenorphine, what is the most appropriate route of administration and dose of buprenorphine, what medications interact with buprenorphine, and how can transitions of care be optimized for these patients.

First Page

184

Last Page

188

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