Synergistic Effect of Ketamine and Buprenorphine Observed in the Treatment of Buprenorphine Precipitated Opioid Withdrawal in a Patient With Fentanyl Use

Hailozian, Christian; Luftig, Joshua; Liang, Amy; Outhay, Melena; Ullal, Monish; Anderson, Erik S.; Kalmin, Mariah; Shoptaw, Steve; Greenwald, Mark K.; Herring, Andrew A.

doi:10.1097/adm.0000000000000929

Synergistic Effect of Ketamine and Buprenorphine Observed in the Treatment of Buprenorphine Precipitated Opioid Withdrawal in a Patient With Fentanyl Use

Background Optimal treatment of buprenorphine precipitated opioid withdrawal (BPOW) is unclear. Full agonist treatment of BPOW is limited by buprenorphine’s high-affinity blockade at mu-opioid receptors (μORs). Buprenorphine’s partial agonism (low intrinsic efficacy) at μORs can limit the effecti…