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Opioid Use Research Study

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are conducting a study to test a new approach to initiating buprenorphine treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) with fentanyl use that can be used in outpatient setting without requiring or precipitating opioid withdrawal.

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Fast Facts

Use Fentanyl

Able to be Inpatient for Approximately 24-36 Hours

Compensation Provided

Philadelphia, PA

Study Background

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are testing the feasibility and acceptability of low-dose buprenorphine initiation, to get participants more quickly onto Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD).

Subjects will be randomized to one of two arms: standard initiation, in which subjects will start buprenorphine after at least 8 hours of abstinence, once they develop moderate opioid withdrawal; or a novel low-dose initiation approach, which is started without objective withdrawal and where buprenorphine doses are escalated over 10 hours, without ongoing use of full-agonist opioids. The safety, efficacy, and whether participants have retention with treatment at two weeks are also being tested.

Study Background

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are testing the feasibility and acceptability of low-dose buprenorphine initiation, to get participants more quickly onto Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD).

Subjects will be randomized to one of two arms: standard initiation, in which subjects will start buprenorphine after at least 8 hours of abstinence, once they develop moderate opioid withdrawal; or a novel low-dose initiation approach, which is started without objective withdrawal and where buprenorphine doses are escalated over 10 hours, without ongoing use of full-agonist opioids. The safety, efficacy, and whether participants have retention with treatment at two weeks are also being tested.

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Additional Information

This study is being done to test a new approach to initiating buprenorphine treatment for OUD with fentanyl use. 

You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Ages 18+
  • Use fentanyl
  • Able to be inpatient for approximately 24 – 36 hours
  • Able to take oral medication and be willing to adhere to the dosage regimen


Exclusion Criteria:

  • No current benzodiazepine use
  • No documented sensitivity to buprenorphine or naloxone
  • Not currently pregnant or breastfeeding

Participants will first be phone screened. Those who seem preliminarily eligible will be scheduled to undergo in person screening procedures (consenting as well as psychiatric and medical evaluations). Participants deemed eligible after screening will be scheduled to go inpatient for approximately 24 hours for the research procedures.

Participants will be compensated $50 for completion of all in-person screening procedures and will be paid $125 for each inpatient day. Total possible compensation is $300.

There is no cost for you to participate in our research study. Travel compensation is provided as is Lyft for the inpatient visit.

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