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FENTANYL: SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
• As fentanyl and other high potency opioids have become more
common there has been a rapid increase in overdose deaths.
• Patients who have been using fentanyl and similar drugs may
have different treatment needs. For example, they may be
at risk for more severe withdrawal. They may need a higher
level of support to start medication, or they may need a higher
medication dose.
• For some patients who have been using fentanyl, It may be
more difficult to begin buprenorphine. Their doctor may
recommend:
» A more intensive treatment setting, such as residential
treatment
» An extended-release formulation of buprenorphine
» Methadone
