Buprenorphine: New Challenges and Opportunities

Purpose of ReviewTo provide an overview of the principles of buprenorphine for the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), highlighting the latest advances in this topic and novel strategies in clinically challenging scenarios.Recent FindingsOpioid dependence affects over 40.5 million people worldwide. Synthetic opioids, increasingly present in United States (US) since 2013, have dramatically changed the scenery, making the ongoing opioid epidemic one of the most consequential health crises in the US.SummaryBuprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist with complex psychopharmacology, is safe and highly effective for the treatment of OUD. Considering new challenges posed by synthetic opioids, novel strategies for the treatment of OUD are emerging. Modified buprenorphine treatment initiation strategies and opioid overdose protocols alternative to traditional approaches have been implemented in clinical practice as means to mitigate risks and lethal consequences of OUD while promoting patient-centered care and safety.