Story perspectives

Study Reveals Higher Buprenorphine Doses Boost Treatment Retention

3/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

Higher buprenorphine doses (17–24 mg) significantly improve treatment retention, averaging 190 days vs 90 days for 8 mg or less.
The study involved 5,000 Medicaid patients in Philadelphia, illustrating a dose-response in real-world care.
Black patients were less likely to receive higher doses, indicating disparities in access to optimal treatment.
The FDA recently updated buprenorphine dosing recommendations, removing a target dose and noting doses over 24 mg may be suitable.

1 of 1

Story summary

Higher buprenorphine doses (17–24 mg) significantly improve treatment retention, averaging 190 days vs 90 days for 8 mg or less.
The study involved 5,000 Medicaid patients in Philadelphia, illustrating a dose-response in real-world care.
Black patients were less likely to receive higher doses, indicating disparities in access to optimal treatment.
The FDA recently updated buprenorphine dosing recommendations, removing a target dose and noting doses over 24 mg may be suitable.