Retention in buprenorphine treatment with Albert Burgess-HullRetention in buprenorphine treatment with Albert Burgess-Hull
Addiction Audio
Dr Elle Wadsworth discusses with Dr Albert Burgess-Hull the surprising findings on retention rates between subcutaneous injectable and sublingual buprenorphine treatments for opioid use disorder. The episode reveals that early switchers to injectables may face higher dropout risks.
16:04•24 Oct 2025
Injectable vs Sublingual Buprenorphine: Surprising Retention Insights
Episode Overview
- Subcutaneous injectable buprenorphine may lead to earlier dropout than sublingual forms.
- Early switching to injectable buprenorphine is linked with increased dropout risk.
- Patient choice plays a significant role in treatment retention outcomes.
- Real-world settings show different results compared to controlled trials.
- Monitoring early switchers closely can help manage dropout risks.
“"Real-world retention was lower for patients receiving injectable buprenorphine."”
Curious about how different buprenorphine treatments affect retention rates? Join Dr Elle Wadsworth as she chats with Dr Albert Burgess-Hull, the Scientific Director of SUDx and Head Data Scientist at MATClinics. They dive into a study comparing subcutaneous injectable and sublingual buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. You'll hear about the ins and outs of each treatment option, their benefits and drawbacks, and the surprising results of the study.
It turns out that while injectable buprenorphine is often seen as a more effective option, this study found that patients switching to injectables early in their treatment were more likely to drop out sooner. The episode explores why these findings might differ from previous research and what it means for future treatment practices. If you're interested in the nuances of opioid treatment or work in addiction recovery, this episode is packed with insights.
Tune in to understand how these findings could influence policy and practice. So, what do you think? Could these insights change how buprenorphine treatments are approached in the future?
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