Buprenorphine Microdosing Cross Tapers: A Time for Change
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health December 8, 2022 Amer Raheemullah, Ori-Michael Benhamou, Jamie Kuo et al.
Microdosing buprenorphine to transition patients from full-agonist opioids avoids the withdrawal and pain that typically require 12 or more hours of opioid abstinence. Evidence shows this cross-taper strategy is safe and effective, and it is already used across the United States. The authors argue that national prescribing guidelines and buprenorphine training should recognize this approach, and that the FDA should approve transdermal buprenorphine for opioid use disorder while manufacturers produce lower-dose sublingual formulations. They conclude that buprenorphine microdosing cross-tapers should become the new standard of care.