High-dose Methadone Research Articles

8798 How Low Can You Go: Suspected Methadone-Induced Hyperinsulinemia

Abstract Disclosure: L. Ravindra: None. M.G. Fernandez: None. V. Cheng: None. Background: Studies have shown that methadone use can result in severe hypoglycemia. This is thought to be related to methadone having antagonistic activity at NMDA receptors, resulting in increased pancreatic insulin release, suppressed glucagon and epinephrine, and inhibition of hepatic glycogenolysis. These mechanisms affect the normal physiologic response to hypoglycemia and can result in hyperinsulinemic-induced hypoglycemia. Clinical case: We present a case of a 56-year-old male with complex regional pain syndrome managed with a high daily dose of methadone (345 mg) who presented to the hospital for evaluation of failure to thrive and hypoglycemia. During the hospital admission, evaluation of hypoglycemia included a serum blood glucose level of 41 mg/dL (normal >60 mg/dL), with an inappropriately normal level of insulin 10 (Reference Range (RR) 3-25 mU/L), C-peptide 2.9 (RR 0.5-3.3 ng/ml), Pro-insulin 2.9 (RR 3-20 pmol/L), an undetectable level of Beta-hydroxybutyrate <0.10 (RR 0.02-0.27 mMol/L) negative insulin antibodies <0.4 (RR 0.0 - 0.4 U/mL), and negative sulfonylurea screen. Additional labs included a normal TSH of 2.8 (RR 0.3-5.5 mIU/ml) and appropriate morning cortisol of 23 (RR >14-15 μg/dL). The abdominal CT and follow-up MRI did not reveal any definite abnormalities in the pancreas. Given persistent evidence of hyperinsulinemic-induced hypoglycemia, a PET Dotatate scan was performed, confirming the absence of a neuroendocrine tumor. While admitted, management included nutritional optimization, close glucose monitoring, and an intravenous dextrose infusion. Diazoxide was also initiated and gradually increased to 150 mg three times a day. Addiction Medicine assisted in tapering down the methadone dose from 115 mg to 105 mg three times a day. With these interventions, the patient had no further episodes of hypoglycemia. On discharge, the patient was provided with a continuous glucose monitor. On follow-up, the patient has continued to show improvement and the diazoxide dose has been decreased without recurrent hypoglycemia. Given this, a selective arterial calcium stimulation test was not pursued. Conclusion: Methadone is an uncommon cause of hyperinsulinemic-induced hypoglycemia. Suspicion should arise, particularly in patients on high doses. Current evidence suggests tapering methadone dosage as the primary intervention, as insulin levels can decrease drastically and improve hypoglycemia. This therapeutic approach should be considered before pursuing invasive and costly diagnostic testing. Presentation: 6/3/2024

The "Micro"cosm: Magnifying the Nuance of Low Dose Buprenorphine Inductions.

Now that the X-wavier is a thing of the past, patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) who previously lacked access to buprenorphine may have access to lower barrier care and may be looking to make the transition from either methadone or illicit fentanyl to buprenorphine. This can be quite challenging and both fentanyl and methadone are hihghly potent drugs and can result in a difficult transtition to buprenorphine. A transition from high potency opioids to buprenorphine is challenging and can cause discomfort or withdrawal in patients. Procedures/data/observations: Patients tend to have a difficult time when undergoing a transition from significant fentanyl use (> 1 bundle/day) or high dose methadone to buprenorphine. Over the last year, we've supported this transition for our hospitalized patients and have learned some tips and tricks to ease the transitions. Through our work we've come up with a strategy to transition patients that includes utilizing full mu agonists while initiating a low dose buprenorphine induction. We have developed an informal protocol for this transition that takes advantage of the flexibility of low dose buprenorphine induction strategies and includes the use of non-opioid adjuvant medications to control symptoms of discomfort and withdrawal. A transition from the use of significant fentanyl or high dose methadone to buprenorphine is possible and can take place over a matter of a few days. Such a transition requires careful attention to patient symptoms, availability of as needed short acting opioids, and the judicious use of non-opioid adjuvants.

Impact of chronic opioid on cognitive function and spermatogenesis in rat: An experimental study.

Opioid analgesics like morphine and methadone are widely used for managing severe pain; however, concerns over their potential misuse and adverse effects on the brain and reproductive system are significant. We aimed to investigate their impacts on spermatogenesis and cognitive function in male Norway rats. In this experimental study, 36 male Norway rats (250-300 gr, 6 months old) were divided into 6 groups: low-dose morphine, high-dose morphine, low-dose methadone, high-dose methadone, positive control (received normal saline at 5 mg/kg), and negative control (received no treatment). Morphine and methadone were administered intraperitoneally over 30 days at doses of 3 mg/kg and 7 mg/kg, respectively. Behavioral assessments evaluated anxiety, stress, and short- and long-term memory. Sperm parameters (viability, motility, morphology), hormonal analysis (testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol), and gene expressions (Tp53, CatSper1) were assessed. A significant reduction in rat weight was observed in the high-dose morphine group (p = 0.0045), while testicular weights remained unchanged. Sperm abnormalities were observed with high doses of methadone and morphine. High-dose methadone significantly reduced offspring count (p = 0.0004). Levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and estradiol varied significantly across treatment groups. Gene expression was altered in response to treatments (p 0.05). Prolonged exposure to methadone and morphine resulted in memory dysfunction, chronic stress, hormonal disturbances, altered gene expression, and fertility complications. These effects were more pronounced at higher doses, highlighting the importance of careful dosage management in opioid therapy.

A preliminary investigation of the acute effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on pain and opioid attentional bias among persons with opioid use disorder

IntroductionAttentional bias (AB) is believed to be an important factor in the development and maintenance of both opioid use disorder (OUD) and chronic pain. Cannabis and its main psychoactive constituent, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), produce analgesic effects via processes that are potentially relevant to AB and is commonly used by persons with OUD. This exploratory study investigated if THC influences AB towards pain and opioid cues individuals with OUD. MethodsUsing a within-subject, crossover design, 27 adults receiving methadone were randomly assigned to receive single doses of oral THC (10 mg, 20 mg administered as dronabinol) or placebo across three, 5-h sessions. During each session, a visual probe task was used to measure AB to pain and opioid cues at baseline and 120 min post-THC administration. ResultsMixed-effects models examined main effects of THC dose, time, and their interaction across all participants; findings were then stratified by methadone dose (low dose <90 mg/day and high dose ≥90 mg/day). Among individuals receiving high doses of methadone, a significant interaction was observed such that AB towards opioids increased following 10 mg THC administration and decreased following 20 mg THC administration. Additionally, participants receiving low doses of methadone showed significant increases in the variability of opioid-related AB post THC administration. ConclusionWe provide preliminary evidence showing that THC may cause dose-dependent effects on selective attention for opioid cues among methadone patients. These results underscore the need for further clinical investigation into the effects of cannabinoids and other substances with potential analgesic and addictive properties among persons with OUD.

Rotation from methadone to buprenorphine using a micro-dosing regime in patients with opioid use disorder and serious mental illness: A case series.

Inducting buprenorphine from methadone has traditionally involved initial opioid withdrawal, with risk of mental state deterioration in patients with serious mental illness (SMI). Micro-dosing of buprenorphine, with small incremental doses, is a novel off-label approach to transitioning from methadone and does not require a period of methadone abstinence. Given the limited literature about buprenorphine microdosing, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of inducting buprenorphine in a series of patients on methadone with SMI. For this retrospective case series, we reviewed the records of 16 patients with SMI at a Melbourne addiction treatment centre, from January 2021 to July 2022, who transitioned via micro-dosing, from high-dose methadone (>30 mg) to buprenorphine and depot-buprenorphine. Psychiatric diagnoses, mental state, other substance withdrawal, transfer success, transition time, opioid withdrawal symptoms and overall patient experience were collected via objective and subjective reporting. Methadone to buprenorphine transfer was completed by 88% of patients. Mental health measures remained stable with the exception of mildly increased anxiety. Median transfer time was 6.5 days for inpatients, 9 days for mixed setting and 10 days for outpatients. Most patients (93%) rated their experience 'manageable' reporting mild withdrawal symptoms. One patient met study criteria for precipitated withdrawal. This retrospective case series provides evidence that the use of a micro-dosing buprenorphine induction for methadone to buprenorphine transitions, including to depot-buprenorphine, has negligible risk, is tolerated by patients with SMI and is unlikely to precipitate an exacerbation of their mental illness.

Transition from methadone to subcutaneous buprenorphine depot in patients with opioid use disorder - a case report

IntroductionOpioid dependence is a complex condition that often requires long-term treatment and care. Methadone, a synthetic full opioid agonist, and buprenorphine, a partial agonist at the opioid receptor, are most commonly used for substitution therapy of opioid dependence and typically administered orally as a liquid and sublingual tablets. Transition from methadone to sublingual buprenorphine may precipitate withdrawal and is usually performed only in patients on low dose of methadone (&lt;30-40 mg). Microdose induction is proposed as a possible solution to ease the transition to buprenorphine.ObjectivesTo present a rapid transition from methadone to sublingual buprenorphine and after that to buprenorphine depot.MethodsA case report of a patient who was switched from methadone 60 mg to sublingual buprenorphine 8 mg using microdosing and after that switched to buprenorphine depo 16 mg weekly.ResultsPatient was successfully switched to sublingual buprenorphine and after that to buprenorphine depot. The transition was complited without withdrawal simptoms.Conclusions This report supports the use of a microdose induction to initiate buprenorphine. Additionally, this approach may be significant for patients stabilized on high doses of methadone who may not be able to tolerate a traditional buprenorphine induction.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Higher methadone dose at time of release from prison predicts linkage to maintenance treatment for people with HIV and opioid use disorder transitioning to the community in Malaysia

BackgroundIncarcerated people with HIV and opioid-dependence often experience poor post-release outcomes in the absence of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). In a prospective trial, we assessed the impact of methadone dose achieved within prison on linkage to MMT after release. MethodsFrom 2010 to 2014, men with HIV (N = 212) and opioid dependence before incarceration were enrolled in MMT within 6 months of release from Malaysia's largest prison and followed for 12-months post-release. As a prospective trial, allocation to MMT was at random and later by preference design (predictive nonetheless). MMT dosing was individually targeted to minimally achieve 80 mg/day. Time-to-event analyses were conducted to model linkage to MMT after release. FindingsOf the 212 participants allocated to MMT, 98 (46 %) were prescribed higher dosages (≥80 mg/day) before release. Linkage to MMT after release occurred in 77 (36 %) participants and significantly higher for those prescribed higher dosages (46% vs 28 %; p = 0.011). Factors associated with higher MMT dosages were being married, on antiretroviral therapy, longer incarceration periods, having higher levels of depression, and methadone preference compared to randomization. After controlling for other variables, being prescribed higher methadone dosage (aHR: 2.53, 95 %CI: 1.42–4.49) was the only independent predictor of linkage to methadone after release. InterpretationHigher doses of methadone prescribed before release increased the likelihood of linkage to MMT after release. Methadone dosing should be introduced into international guidelines for treatment of opioid use disorder in prisons and further post-release benefits should be explored. FundingNational Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA).

Biochemical differences between high and low dose methadone clients on stable maintenance therapy

The methadone dose required to prevent withdrawal symptoms in chronic methadone users varies dramatically from 5 to 300 mg/day, which could be attributed to a number of biochemical factors, including human µ-opioid receptor (hMOR) density, down-stream desensitization, concurrent drug use or P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression, or other, possibly genetic factors. Here we describe some biochemical changes of patients taking higher versus lower doses in chronic methadone maintenance therapy (MMT). hMOR density was measured in leukocytes from methadone-maintained patients receiving lower dose (&lt;100 mg/day) or higher dose (≥100 mg/day) and naive subjects by flow cytometry. Desensitization of receptor signaling was examined by measuring in vivo and attenuated cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels in response to increasing methadone concentrations. P-gp expression and the presence of other drugs were measured using validated methods.

A Survey of the Status of Methadone Switching in Japan Using a Hospital-Based Administrative Claims Database.

Methadone is generally used for the management of cancer pain in patients who cannot obtain adequate analgesia from other strong opioids; however, it has a complicated and inconsistent conversion ratio from pre-switching opioid dosage to methadone. This issue may be pronounced in Japan because only oral tablets are commercially available. We aimed to elucidate the status of methadone switching in Japan, focusing on its dosage. Using a Japanese hospital-based administrative claims database, we included patients who switched to methadone between April 2008 and January 2021. The proportion of methadone switching completion that required more than the defined conversion ratio in the Japanese package insert (called "high-dose methadone switching") was evaluated as a primary endpoint. Other endpoints included "the duration from initiation to completion of methadone switching" and "factors affecting high-dose methadone switching by using multivariate logistic regression analysis". Of 1585 patients who received methadone, 370 were enrolled. Among those, 130 (35.1%) received high-dose methadone switching. The median duration of methadone switching completion (12 days) was longer in the high-dose methadone switching group than in other patients. Four variables were identified as factors affecting high-dose methadone switching. Younger age and outpatient status increased the risk of requiring high-dose methadone switching, whereas the concomitant use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and fentanyl as a pre-switching opioid decreased the risk. In conclusion, more than 30% of the patients underwent high-dose methadone switching and required long completion periods, suggesting that methadone switching remains challenging in Japan.

THU391 A Case Of Unrecognized Hypoglycemia Due To Methadone Use In A Non-Diabetes Patient

Abstract Disclosure: D. Owais: None. J.R. Fredrick: None. Y. Jamal: None. S. Sajnani: None. Introduction: Methadone is a rare cause of insulin-mediated hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can be manifested as autonomic instability (palpitations and diaphoresis) and neuroglycopenia (agitation and altered mentation). We present the case of hypoglycemia in a non-diabetic patient with no renal insufficiency and who was on a high dose of Methadone. Case: A 76-year-old male with a medical history of HTN, CAD, CVA, dementia, chronic opioid use (on methadone 80 mg) initially presented two times to an outside hospital for intractable seizures. The diagnosis of seizure disorder was made and was discharged on valproate. Per his wife, he had a few low blood sugars during those hospitalizations. Within a month of discharge, he was admitted to another hospital for severe bradycardia and had undergone pacemaker implantation. He was then discharged to nursing home (NH). In the NH, the routine laboratory work showed a serum blood glucose of 42; however, it was interpreted as a lab error. The next day, he developed severe metabolic encephalopathy, intractable seizures and transferred to our hospital. On arrival, serum blood sugar was 59, corrected by 50% of dextrose. His physical examination was significant for a thin-built elderly male, lethargic but in no acute distress. The dose of antiseizure medication was adjusted. The Methadone 80 mg daily was resumed. He continued to have intermittent hypoglycemia to as low as 33 despite being on intravenous (IV) dextrose solutions. His symptoms used to improve temporarily after the correction of hypoglycemia. (Positive Whipple’s triad). Blood cultures and urine cultures were negative. Serum cortisol level, IGF -1, TSH levels, blood pressure, and electrolytes were within normal limits. The hypoglycemia workup performed in a fasting state (off IV dextrose) showed endogenous hyperinsulinism with insulin level &amp;gt;3, C-peptide level &amp;gt;0.2, beta-hydroxybutyrate level of &amp;lt;2.7, and negative sulfonylurea screen. CT scan and ultrasound of the abdomen were performed to rule out insulinoma; however, it demonstrated complete atrophy of the pancreas. Therefore, a high dose of methadone was assumed to cause hypoglycemia, as the patient had no hypoglycemic episodes when he could not receive two doses of methadone due to encephalopathy. The trough levels of methadone in the blood were high at 650 ng/dl. Methadone dose was tapered to 60 mg daily. He was also started on octreotide to manage his hypoglycemia. However, the patient developed severe pneumonia, and family opted for hospice. Conclusion: Our case is unique as the patient was developing severe signs of hypoglycemia, including bradycardia and seizures, and treated with a pacemaker and antiseizure medications. His Methadone-induced hypoglycemia was identified late as the cause of his symptoms. Therefore, it is crucial to recognize this side effect of Methadone in differentials in a patient with hypoglycemia. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023

Transferring patients from high-dose methadone to buprenorphine: A retrospective case series.

Transferring from methadone to buprenorphine can be difficult, -particularly at higher methadone doses. Precipitated withdrawal (PW) and severe opioid withdrawal can compromise transfers and limited data guide high-dose transfers. This study describes processes and outcomes of transfers to buprenorphine from methadone. A retrospective case series of transfers from methadone to buprenorphine. Two elective, voluntary, specialized in-patient drug and alcohol facilities in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. All admissions between July 1, 2015 and April 30, 2019 were screened using routinely collected coding data. The medical record was reviewed to identify subjects meeting the inclusion criteria of daily methadone use for at least 1 month, age > 18, and a treatment plan that included transfer from methadone to buprenorphine. Data were extracted on methadone dose, transfer medications, time to buprenorphine initiation, and transfer outcome. Subjects were transferred via two methods: morphine bridged and nonbridged. The primary outcome measure was successful transition to buprenorphine. Seventy-one subjects met inclusion criteria, of whom 62 initiated buprenorphine and 53 discharged on buprenorphine. Longer delay to buprenorphine initiation was seen with higher methadone doses. The highest daily methadone dose in subjects completing transfer was 180 mg. Outcomes with morphine bridging, using a steady state methadone: morphine ratio of 1:4, were similar to direct transfer. Only one subject discontinued buprenorphine because of PW. Transfer from high doses of methadone to buprenorphine can be achieved with high success rates in the in-patient setting.

(166) Perinatal Opioid Use Disorder Management with High-Dose Methadone

(166) Perinatal Opioid Use Disorder Management with High-Dose Methadone

Methadone-Induced QT Interval Prolongation and Torsades de Pointes

: The most common cause of acquired long QT syndrome in patients without physiological and structural cardiovascular disease is the use of medications. Chronic high-dose methadone usage can cause prolongation of QT interval that may provoke the life-threatening arrhythmia Torsades de Pointes. In this study, we present a 41-year-old man with chronic high-dose methadone usage who developed Torsades de Pointes triggered by short-coupled premature ventricular contraction.

Transitioning From High-dose Methadone to Buprenorphine Using a Microdosing Approach: Unique Considerations at ASAM Level 3 Facilities.

Transitions from high-dose methadone to buprenorphine for treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) present risk of precipitated withdrawal related to the introduction of a high-affinity partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor after occupancy by a lower-affinity full agonist. Various strategies have been explored to maintain patient stability during this process, including microdosing buprenorphine. Current literature lacks consensus on an optimal setting and strategy for initiating a buprenorphine microdosing protocol and gives little detail on patients' conditions after the acute transition period. We report a 6-day microdosing transition from methadone 100 mg directly to sublingual buprenorphine, followed by a 20-day period of monitoring and additional treatment. This patient tolerated a sublingual buprenorphine microdosing protocol while using supportive medications with a peak Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale score of 6. The patient's most significant withdrawal symptoms occurred several days after completion of the microdosing process. This case demonstrates the feasibility of using a transmucosal buprenorphine formulation in microdosing transitions from high-dose methadone directly to buprenorphine, and highlights the utility of a medically monitored intensive inpatient setting (American Society of Addiction Medicine level 3.7) in providing appropriate monitoring and treatment during and after a microdosing transition.

Do patients addicted to fentanyl need higher doses of methadone or buprenorphine?

With most medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, there are many choices of medications. For opioid use disorder (OUD), there are three: methadone, buprenoprhine, and naltrexone, and because of issues with naltrexone—patients don't want it, induction requires a week opioid‐free first—that leaves methadone and buprenorphine. The question in the illicit fentanyl era is: Which medication works best for patients addicted to high levels of high potency opioids like fentanyl? ADAW asked top experts in the field and found out that there is no cookie‐cutter recipe; that people with OUD, just like people with high blood pressure, need individualized care. On top of that, many people with OUD have severe other problems and need comprehensive care, regardless of what medication is chosen.

Twelve-month Treatment Retention and Associated Factors: A Comparison of 2 Medically Assisted Therapy Clinics in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Retention in methadone maintenance treatment is instrumental in achieving better treatment outcomes. In this study, we compared 2 medication-assisted treatment (MAT) clinics in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania with respect to patient characteristics, outcomes, and factors that predict 12-month treatment retention. This retrospective registry-based cohort study utilized data collected for routine clinical and program monitoring at 2 sites, Mwananyamala and Muhimbili MAT clinics. Cumulative retention in treatment was calculated using life tables. The analysis of treatment retention predictor variables used both Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard analyses. We examined the socio-demographic and program-related characteristics of 362 (181 from each clinic) patients. Twelve-month treatment retention was higher at Mwananyamala (73%) than Muhimbili (64%) MAT clinic, but the difference was not significant. In both clinics, a higher methadone dose (&gt;60mg) significantly predicted treatment retention ( P &lt; 0.05). Being employed and traveling an average short distance (&lt;5 km) from home to clinic significantly increased the likelihood of remaining in treatment in Muhimbili MAT clinic (P&lt; 0.05) only. A methadone dose of 60 mg and above was associated with longer retention in treatment. At 1 clinic in a denser and more central location, employment and a short travel distance from home to clinic were associated with longer tenure in treatment. These findings have potential implications for clinical practice, research, and scaling up MAT services in Tanzania.

Predictors of Retention and Drug Use Among Patients With Opioid Use Disorder Transferred to a Specialty "Second Chance" Methadone Program.

Many patients in methadone treatment have difficulty achieving or maintaining drug abstinence, and many clinics have policies that lead to discharging these patients. We designed a pilot "Second Chance" (SC) program for patients scheduled to be discharged from other local methadone clinics to be transferred to our clinic. Determine whether SC patients' retention and opioid use is related to physical or mental health conditions, non-opioid substance use, or treatment features. From December 2012 to December 2014, this program enrolled 70 patients who were discharged from other clinics in the area; we were their last remaining option for methadone treatment. Unlike the clinic's standard policies, the treatment focus for SC patients was retention rather than abstinence. This program focused on connection to care (eg, psychiatric services) and enabled patients to continue receiving services despite ongoing substance use. Each patient was assessed at treatment entry and followed until June 2016 to evaluate outcomes. SC patients receiving disability benefits (n = 37) vs. non-disabled (n = 33) had significantly (P < .05) higher rates of current DSM-IV Axis I psychiatric diagnosis (97% vs 70%), prescriptions for opioids (84% vs 55%) and benzodiazepines (65% vs 27%), and higher methadone doses at admission (58 vs 46 mg) but did not differ significantly in rates of 6-month or 1-year retention (77% and 56%, respectively) or all-drug use (39% positive urine drug screens). Methadone doses >65 mg predicted significantly longer retention and less opioid use, but these effects were not moderated by baseline characteristics. Patients in methadone treatment struggling to achieve abstinence may benefit from retention-oriented harm-reduction programs. Higher methadone doses can improve retention and opioid abstinence despite psychiatric comorbidities. Further work is needed to improve program implementation and outcomes in this complex population.

Transition From Full Mu Opioid Agonists to Buprenorphine in Opioid Dependent Patients-A Critical Review.

Methadone, a full opioid agonist at the mu-, kappa-, and delta-receptor, and buprenorphine, a partial agonist at the mu receptor, are first-line medications in opioid maintenance treatment. Transition from methadone to buprenorphine may precipitate withdrawal, and no accepted algorithm for this procedure has been developed. Current treatment strategies recommend transfer from methadone to buprenorphine predominantly in patients at low doses of methadone (30–40 mg/day). There are some reports indicating that transition from higher doses of methadone may be possible. A number of dosing strategies have been proposed to soften withdrawal symptoms and facilitate transfer including use of other opioids or medications and especially microdosing techniques for buprenorphine. The case series and studies available thus far are reviewed.

Biochemical Differences Between High and Low Dose Methadone Clients on Stable Maintenance Therapy

Biochemical Differences Between High and Low Dose Methadone Clients on Stable Maintenance Therapy

Low-dose Buprenorphine Initiation in Hospitalized Adults With Opioid Use Disorder: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

Patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) can initiate buprenorphine without requiring a withdrawal period through a low-dose (sometimes referred to as "micro-induction") approach. Although there is growing interest in low-dose buprenorphine initiation, current evidence is limited to case reports and small case series. We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with OUD seen by a hospital-based addiction medicine consult service who underwent low-dose buprenorphine initiation starting during hospital admission. We then integrated our practice-based experiences with results from the existing literature to create practice considerations. Sixty-eight individuals underwent 72 low-dose buprenorphine initiations between July 2019 and July 2020. Reasons for low-dose versus standard buprenorphine initiation included co-occurring pain (91.7%), patient anxiety around the possibility of withdrawal (69.4%), history of precipitated withdrawal (9.7%), opioid withdrawal intolerance (6.9%), and other reason/not specified (18.1%). Of the 72 low-dose buprenorphine initiations, 50 (69.4%) were completed in the hospital, 9 (12.5%) transitioned to complete as an outpatient, and 13 (18.1%) were terminated early. We apply our experiences and findings from literature to recommendations for varied clinical scenarios, including acute illness, co-occurring pain, opioid withdrawal intolerance, transition from high dose methadone to buprenorphine, history of precipitated withdrawal, and rapid hospital discharge. We share a standard low-dose initiation protocol with potential modifications based on above scenarios. Low-dose buprenorphine initiation offers a well-tolerated and versatile approach for hospitalized patients with OUD. We share lessons from our experiences and the literature, and provide practical considerations for providers.