Study: Many people treated with buprenorphine continue to receive other opioids

Many people receiving buprenorphine to treat opioid addiction fill prescriptions for other opioids during or after treatment, according to a study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, reported last week in the journal Addiction. The study looked at pharmacy claims for more than 38,000 new buprenorphine users who filled prescriptions between 2006 and 2013 in 11 states. It found that 43% of patients who received buprenorphine filled an opioid prescription during treatment, and 67% filled an opioid prescription during the 12 months after buprenorphine treatment. “The substantial overlap between buprenorphine and non-buprenorphine opioid use underscores the importance of coordinated efforts to manage opioid use disorder while addressing chronic pain,” the authors said. For more information, see the news release.