Featured reading · November 2026
Emergency Department–Initiated Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial
D'Onofrio G, et al. JAMA. 2026;335:948–960.
What happens after the emergency department visit? This trial compared a weekly extended-release buprenorphine injection with daily sublingual buprenorphine, with referral support in both groups.
The takeaway
The weekly injection did not significantly improve seven-day treatment engagement compared with sublingual buprenorphine. The adjusted difference was 1.6 percentage points (95% CI, −2.8 to 6.0). This is not proof that the treatments are equivalent.
The formulation is only one part of the transition from emergency care to ongoing treatment.
Read with these limits
The study was open-label, follow-up extended to 30 days, and both groups received enhanced referral support. Results may differ where follow-up services are less available. The findings are not specific to Florida.
Selected November 10, 2026, using the corrected online article. This educational summary is not a clinical guideline or individualized treatment advice. Read the full study for methods, safety findings and clinical context.
