Injectable Buprenorphine May Treat Opioid Use Disorder

An investigational novel sustained-release buprenorphine weekly injectable formulation (CAM2038) could be used to treat individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD), according to the results of a phase II trial.

Oral formulations of buprenorphine have been associated with misuse, diversion, and nonadherence, which are limitations that may be alleviated with a sustained-release formulation, according to researchers.
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The researchers conducted a multisite, double-blind, randomized, within-patient study involving 47 adults with moderate-to-severe OUD. Five 3-day test sessions were used to evaluate the response to hydromorphone (0, 6, and 18 mg intramuscular in random order; 1 dose/session/day). Following the sessions, participants were randomly assigned to receive CAM2038 weekly at 24 mg or 32 mg. Doses were given twice, 1 week apart. Following randomization, 4 sets of session were conducted (days 1-3, 4-6, 8-10, and 11-13).

Overall, 46 of 47 participants completed the study. Both doses of CAM2038 produced immediate and sustained blockade of hydromorphone effects and suppression of withdrawal.

“CAM2038 weekly, 24 and 32 mg, was safely tolerated and produced immediate and sustained opioid blockade and withdrawal suppression. The results support the use of this depot formulation for treatment initiation and stabilization of patients with OUD, with the further benefit of obviating the risk for misuse and diversion of daily buprenorphine while retaining its therapeutic benefits,” the researchers concluded.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Walsh SL, Comer SD, Lofwall MR, et al. Effect of buprenorphine weekly depot (cam2038) and hydromorphone blockade in individuals with opioid use disorder [published online June 22, 2017]. JAMA Psychiatry. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.1874.