Kratom Use Among Pregnant and Lactating Individuals With Substance Use Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Kratom ( Mitragyna speciosa ) use in pregnancy is associated with maternal and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. However, kratom use patterns in the population of peripartum and postpartum individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of pregnant and postpartum individuals with SUD who report using kratom in pregnancy or lactation and the reasons for their use. METHODS: We conducted an anonymous survey of pregnant and postpartum individuals receiving care at a single center's multidisciplinary prenatal clinic for individuals with SUD. We collected participants' demographic and pregnancy characteristics. We assessed ever use of kratom, kratom use during pregnancy or lactation, and reasons for kratom use. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. RESULTS: From January 2021 to May 2021, a total of 80 surveys were collected (81% response rate of 98 eligible individuals). Most respondents were pregnant (n = 50 [62.5%]). The most frequent substance(s) of use were opioids (n = 50 [62.5%]) and methamphetamine (n = 39 [48.8%]). Many (n = 26 [32.5%]) reported ever use of kratom use. Of all respondents, 4 (5%) reported use during pregnancy, and 1 (1%) reported use during lactation. Kratom was primarily used to relieve opioid withdrawal symptoms and for relaxation, pain control, and stress relief. CONCLUSION: In a survey of pregnant and postpartum individuals with SUD at a single high-risk pregnancy clinic, ever use of kratom was frequent, whereas peripartum use was rare.

Postpartum Extended-Release Buprenorphine Tissue Necrosis.

BACKGROUND: Extended-release buprenorphine (XRB) may improve medication for opioid use disorder continuation among postpartum individuals. However, obstetric clinicians have relatively little experience with XRB. We describe two cases of XRB-related tissue necrosis in postpartum individuals to highlight recommended injection technique and management strategies for this rare complication. CASES: One patient developed tissue necrosis after her initial injection. Her wound was expectantly managed. Another patient on long-term XRB developed tissue necrosis within 1 day of injection. General surgery excised the depot. Both instances were attributed to injection of XRB intradermally rather than subcutaneously. Both patients continued monthly XRB without recurrence, suggesting that this complication is not an allergy. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be able to prevent, recognize, and manage tissue necrosis, a rare complication of XRB injection.

Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Extended-release Buprenorphine for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to explore pregnant and postpartum individuals' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding extended-release buprenorphine (XR-BUP) treatment for opioid use disorder. METHODS: We conducted a paper-based survey of pregnant or postpartum individuals with opioid use disorder attending a multidisciplinary perinatal addiction specialty care clinic where XR-BUP is available. Participants' nonidentifiable demographic and treatment characteristics were collected, including duration and satisfaction of current medication for opioid use disorder. Participants' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about XR-BUP were assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. RESULTS: From February 2021 to August 2021, 79 of 98 eligible participants completed the survey (81% response rate). More than 9 of 10 participants were currently taking medication for opioid use disorder, and 7 individuals (8.9%) were taking XR-BUP. Nearly half (49.4%) had never heard of XR-BUP, and 84.8% did not personally know anyone taking XR-BUP. However, 45.6% and 29.1% would consider an injectable medication for opioid use disorder to avoid trouble remembering to take their daily medications and avoid opioid withdrawal symptoms, respectfully. CONCLUSIONS: In a population of pregnant and postpartum individuals, nearly half were unaware of a monthly XR-BUP option for the treatment of opioid use disorder. Many were interested in considering this medication. Future studies are needed to rigorously assess outcomes associated with XR-BUP among pregnant and postpartum individuals with opioid use disorder.

Nonfatal Overdoses Among Pregnant Individuals With Opioid Use Disorder.

Little is understood about overdose history among pregnant individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). We performed a cross-sectional secondary analysis of data from the OPTI-Mom 2.0 (Optimizing Pregnancy and Treatment Interventions for Moms 2.0) study (NCT03833245), a multi-site randomized controlled trial of patient navigation and usual care. We summarized participant demographics, overdose history, and substances involved in most recent overdose. Of the 102 participants with severe OUD included, 64.7% (95% CI 54.8-73.4%) had a reported a history of an overdose event and 41.2% (95% CI 31-52%) reported at least one overdose within the past year. In the most recent overdose, 81.8% (95% CI 70.4-89.5%) reported using opioids and 30.3% (95% CI 20.3-42.6%) reported using sedatives. These findings suggest need for heightened awareness of overdose-reduction and harm-reduction strategies in this population.

What to Expect With Pregnant or Postpartum Prescribing of Extended-Release Buprenorphine (CAM2038).

Weekly and monthly CAM2038 (Brixadi®) extended-release subcutaneous buprenorphine (XR bup) has been available in Europe and Australia for several years and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in May 2023. Little is known about the clinical experience of patients and providers using this new medication during prenatal care. Two cases of pregnant persons with opioid use disorder receiving weekly XR bup in an ongoing randomized multi-site outpatient clinical trial are presented along with a brief review of the pharmacology and literature on XR bup formulations. The cases in pregnancy illustrate how treatment with the weekly formulation is initiated including how to make dose adjustments, which may be necessary given the longer half-life; it takes 1 month to achieve steady state. Injection site pain with medication administration was time limited and managed readily. Other injection site reactions experienced included subcutaneous erythema and induration that was delayed in onset and typically mild, resolving with minimal intervention. Delivery management and breastfeeding recommendations while on weekly XR bup were not different compared to sublingual buprenorphine (SL bup). Weekly XR bup is a new treatment for opioid use disorder that may be used in the obstetric population. Obstetric and addiction medicine clinicians should be aware of this new formulation as its use is expected to increase.

Buprenorphine X-waiver exemption - beyond the basics for the obstetrical provider.

Buprenorphine is 1 of 3 medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of opioid use disorder, and practitioners must obtain a federal waiver to prescribe buprenorphine. Until recently, physicians and advanced practice clinicians were required to complete 8 and 24 hours of training, respectively, before applying for this waiver and to provide psychosocial services when prescribing buprenorphine to ≤30 patients. The US Department of Health and Human Services announced in April 2021 that eligible providers would be exempt from the educational requirement for certification, making the waiver more accessible for those intending to prescribe to ≤30 patients. Here, we reviewed the historic background to the exemption and provided practical guidelines to practitioners caring for obstetrical patients with opioid use disorder who are considering applying for the waiver for the first time. Because the educational requirements will no longer be required for X-waiver application, we reviewed fundamental topics and challenging scenarios that are often reviewed in certification courses.

Use of Kratom, an Opioid-like Traditional Herb, in Pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is an herbal preparation with opioid-like effects made from a tree native to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. Increasingly, kratom is used for self-treatment of opioid use disorder and recently has been associated with a multistate outbreak of salmonellosis. Few data are available on the clinical outcomes of kratom use in pregnancy. CASES: We present two cases of pregnant women presenting with kratom dependence. Both women presented with symptoms consistent with opioid withdrawal. Both women were initiated on opioid replacement, with successful treatment of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Kratom is an emerging self-treatment for opioid use disorder in the obstetric population. Obstetric care providers should be aware of kratom and consider opioid replacement for pregnant women with kratom dependence.