Community Studies of Long Acting Buprenorphine (CoLAB)
Status:
Active, not recruiting
Trial end date:
2021-03-30
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Despite research demonstrating the efficacy of buprenorphine (BPN), effectiveness in
real-world settings has been limited by shorter retention than for methadone, and the need
for daily or near-daily dosing (frequently supervised in Australia). Newly developed
sustained-release BPN formulations could provide rapid onset and sustained release of BPN.
Current formulations include six-monthly implants, and once-weekly or once-monthly
injections, removing the need for frequent clinic or pharmacy attendance. Improved medication
adherence may result in improved patient outcomes and fewer unintended consequences such as
diversion, but more data are needed in real-world settings. These innovations have the
potential to dramatically change the treatment settings and options for people who are opioid
dependent.
The study aims to evaluate the patient outcomes following the implementation of a monthly BPN
depot injection for the treatment of opioid dependence in community-based treatment settings
with a focus on opioid and other illicit drug use, adherence and retention, and participants'
experiences of the implementation.