CTN-0003: Suboxone (Buprenorphine / Naloxone) Taper: A Comparison of Taper Schedules

Walter Ling, MD
Lead Investigator
Integrated Substance Abuse Programs
University of California Los Angeles
lwalter@ix.netcom.com

This study was undertaken to compare, in an outpatient setting, the relative advantage of two Suboxone® (Bup/Nx) tapering schedules (one rapid and one gradual) following four weeks of Suboxone® stabilization, as reflected by the proportion of participants providing opiate free urines at the end of the taper regimen. In total, 516 participants were randomized to one of two taper schedules, either 7 days or 28 days. The reason for conducting this study was not to advocate for short-term treatment, but to determine the relative ease of using a more rapid vs. a gradual taper should someone need to discontinue Bup/Nx.

Primary Findings

There appears to be no advantage in prolonging the duration of the taper for individuals terminating Bup/Nx therapy for opioid dependence. At the end of the taper, 44% of the 7-day taper group (n=255) provided opioid-free urine specimens compared to 30% of the 28-day taper group (n=261; P=0.0007). There were no differences at the 1-month and 3-month follow-ups (7-day=18% and 12%; 28-day = 18% and 13%, 1 month and 3 months, respectively).