Medications For Opioid Use Disorder © Yale University

Methadone Buprenorphine Buprenorphine Injectable Implanted Naltrexone

+ Naloxone Buprenorphine Buprenorphine
Mechanism Full opioid agonist Partial opioid agonist Partial opioid agonist Partial opioid agonist Partial opioid agonist Full opioid antagonist
of Action

Doses Usual daily dosage: 2-24mg daily 2-24mg daily 100-300mg Implant every 6 50mg oral tablet
80-120mg oral liquid sublingual tablet or sublingual tablet or subcutaneous months daily
daily film; or buccal film film; or buccal film injection monthly 380mg IM injection
monthly
Some patients may
require higher or
lower doses
Side • Constipation • Nausea • Nausea • Nausea • Nausea • Current opioid
Effects • Sedation • Constipation • Constipation • Constipation • Constipation use
• Diaphoresis • Sedation • Sedation • Sedation • Sedation • Decompensated
& • Nausea/vomitin • Precipitated • Precipitated • Precipitated • Precipitated cirrhosis
g Withdrawal Withdrawal Withdrawal Withdrawal • Liver functions
• Prolonged QT (if full agonist (if full agonist (if full agonist (if full agonist tests >5 times the
Relative opioids present) opioids present) opioids present) opioids present) upper limit of
and rarely
Contra- torsades de • Injection site • Insertion & normal
indications pointes pruritis removal • Use with caution
• Respiratory complications with
depression and compensated
overdose cirrhosis
especially if • Inadequate
combined with muscle mass for
other sedatives injectable
formulation
Notes Only available at Requires waiver to Requires waiver to Requires waiver to Requires waiver to Only extended-
federally regulated prescribe in prescribe in prescribe in prescribe in release formulation
opioid treatment office-based settings office-based settings office-based settings office-based settings shown to improve
programs treatment retention
and decrease opioid
use

Duration: Medications for addiction treatment should be extended as long as is necessary and in partnership with the patient.
Note: This chart is just for reference. Consult the prescriber medication guide for complete details before prescribing these medications.