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buprenorphine / methadone sequence
A sequential treatment protocol using buprenorphine followed by methadone, both opioid agonists that bind to mu-opioid receptors to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings in opioid use disorder.
A sequential treatment protocol using buprenorphine followed by methadone, both opioid agonists that bind to mu-opioid receptors to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings in opioid use disorder. Used for Opioid use disorder (induction and maintenance treatment).
At a glance
| Generic name | buprenorphine / methadone sequence |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Karolinska University Hospital |
| Drug class | Opioid agonist substitution therapy |
| Target | Mu-opioid receptor (μ-OR) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Addiction Medicine / Substance Use Disorder |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Buprenorphine is a partial mu-opioid agonist with high receptor affinity and slow dissociation, making it suitable for induction and early maintenance. Methadone is a full mu-opioid agonist with longer half-life, used for sustained maintenance therapy. This sequence leverages buprenorphine's safety profile and lower overdose risk during induction, followed by methadone's sustained action for long-term opioid substitution therapy.
Approved indications
- Opioid use disorder (induction and maintenance treatment)
Common side effects
- Constipation
- Sedation
- Nausea
- Respiratory depression
- Withdrawal symptoms (during transition)
Key clinical trials
- Drug-drug Interaction Study of Bemnifosbuvir/Ruzasvir (BEM/RZR) and Buprenorphine/Naloxone or Methadone (PHASE1)
- A Stepwise Strategy Utilizing Buprenorphine and Methadone (PHASE4)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- buprenorphine / methadone sequence CI brief — competitive landscape report
- buprenorphine / methadone sequence updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Karolinska University Hospital portfolio CI