Buprenorphine may reduce opioid use for sickle cell disease adults

Buprenorphine may reduce opioid use for sickle cell disease adults

Adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) who are started on buprenorphine to ease chronic pain — either in a clinical setting or at home via telemedicine — may be able to reduce their use of opioids and visit the hospital less frequently, a small study suggests. Buprenorphine induction — the process of carefully starting buprenorphine treatment during early opioid withdrawal to control symptoms and avoid side effects — typically follows a tradition…