Slow-Release Oral Morphine vs Methadone for Opioid Use Disorder in the Fentanyl Era

What are the comparative discontinuation rates and mortality risks of slow-release oral morphine (SROM) vs methadone for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) in the fentanyl era?In this comparative effectiveness study that included 4059 person-trials in British Columbia, Canada, the rate of OUD treatment discontinuation at 12 months was slightly higher for people prescribed SROM vs methadone (99% vs 98%). The mortality risk was similar, and only 2 deaths occurred when people were receiving treatment.In this study, SROM for OUD was associated with slightly higher treatment discontinuation risk than methadone but similar mortality risk, suggesting either medication may be appropriate alongside measures to support retention.

Corresponding Author: M. Eugenia Socias, MD, MSc, Division of Social Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 1190 Hornby St, 4th Floor, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2K5, Canada (bccsu-es@bccsu.ubc.ca).

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