Case series: Voluntary discontinuation of sublingual buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder using extended-release buprenorphine.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Despite its efficacy, patients may still seek to voluntarily discontinue sublingual (SL) buprenorphine treatment, but little guidance exist on how to safely conduct a taper. We, therefore, report on the use of extended-release buprenorphine (XR-BUP) to facilitate voluntary treatment discontinuation. METHODS: A case series (n = 4). RESULTS: Four individuals interested in voluntary discontinuation of sublingual buprenorphine treatment were transitioned to varying durations of XR-BUP, after which all were able to discontinue buprenorphine with minimal withdrawal symptoms. One individual had a brief recurrence to illicit opioid use. All remained engaged in treatment. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The use of XR-BUP, given its long terminal half-life, may be a helpful option for individuals who are interested in voluntary buprenorphine discontinuation. Collaboration with the patient must include information about the risk of lapse to use and overdose following discontinuation. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: The cases reported here provide preliminary support for the use of XR-BUP to help individuals discontinue buprenorphine treatment. There is only one other case series showing the use of XR-BUP in helping individuals successfully discontinue buprenorphine treatment. Buprenorphine discontinuation is clinically relevant and there is little guidance in the current literature.