Buprenorphine maintenance treatment in patients with opioid use disorder diagnosed with COVID-19

Abstract

The current COVID-19 pandemic is impacting individuals with pre-existing opioid use disorder (OUD), many of whom are receiving daily dosed buprenorphine treatment. There is a limited clinical experience with how to manage buprenorphine maintenance in infected individuals. Published guidance considers the possibility of dosage or formulation changes. This case series reports on 10 cases involving individuals with OUD who were receiving daily dosed buprenorphine and contracted COVID-19. It was found that for those with mild-moderate COVID-19 disease, in the absence of significant respiratory symptoms, changes to buprenorphine management including changes to daily dose, were not necessary.