Starting buprenorphine after fentanyl: what one study found
November 10, 2026 · 0:10
In a 2024 study of 226 hospital patients who used fentanyl, 11.5% had precipitated withdrawal, so nearly 9 in 10 did not. Plan timing with your provider.
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Frequently Asked Questions
In the 2024 study of 226 hospital patients who used fentanyl, 11.5% developed precipitated withdrawal after starting buprenorphine. That means nearly 9 in 10 did not.
The 2024 study, published in JAMA Network Open, was done at three Philadelphia hospitals.
The researchers note that with regular use, fentanyl can build up in muscle and fat. They are still studying whether that buildup raises the risk of precipitated withdrawal.
