Opioid withdrawal is not lethal to the fetus, if done via medication taper

Abstract

Only a few years ago, it was taken as gospel that opioid withdrawal can be lethal to the fetus — and it is not in fact recommended. But it can be done the right way. The wrong way is stopping “cold turkey” if the patient is dependent, whether on street opioids, analgesics, or prescribed methadone or buprenorphine. The right way is tapering via a treatment medication like methadone or buprenorphine.