Questions when starting MOUD

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic medical condition defined by the misuse of opioid drugs. A person with OUD will experience intense and overwhelming compulsion to take opioids, and continue to take opioids despite negative consequences, such as consequences involving physical health, mental health, employment, personal relationships, and legal problems.

OUD can include the misuse of prescription pain medications, illegal drugs, or both. People with OUD often take opioids in increasing quantities over time and experience withdrawal if they stop taking opioids or reduce opioid usage.

Treatment for OUD

There are effective treatments for OUD. The goal of treatment is to recover from opioid use, maintain recovery, and restore function in the parts of a person’s life impacted by OUD.

In most cases, treatment involves a combination of medications used alongside counseling, behavior therapy, and psychosocial support.

While OUD is very common and affects millions of people in the United States, it is also a condition that affects different people in different ways. Treatment will vary from person to person depending on what types of healthcare a person has access to, what they need from treatment, coexisting medical conditions (such as mental health disorders), and a person’s preferences for treatment.

However you are approaching treatment for OUD, it’s important to work with a healthcare provider who understands this condition and understands what you need from treatment.

Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD)

Treatment for OUD can involve several medications which are taken for different reasons:

• Medications to manage withdrawal during detoxification.
• Maintenance therapy, drugs to help with opioid cravings and block the effects of opioids, which are taken on a long-term or continuous basis.
• Emergency medications, to be taken in the event of an opioid overdose.

Again, different people will have different treatment requirements and will have access to different types of healthcare. For example, two common treatments for maintenance therapy are methadone and buprenorphine. Methadone is only available through opioid treatment programs. Buprenorphine can be prescribed by a healthcare provider who is authorized to prescribe pharmaceuticals, such as a primary care provider.

People with OUD may require medications at different times during treatment or may want to switch medications. For another example, buprenorphine is available as oral films and tablets, transdermal patches, and long-acting injections. Different routes of administration may work better for a particular person.

Questions when changing medications

For these reasons and others, it helps to be prepared to talk to a healthcare provider about different treatment options. You can use this list of questions when discussing a new medication with a healthcare provider:

• What is the name of the medication and the dosage?
• How and when does this medication need to be taken?
• How does this medication work to treat OUD?
• Why is this medication recommended?
• What are the potential side effects?
• Is there a possibility of drug interactions? Your healthcare provider should always have an up-to-date list of all drugs you are taking. This list should include prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and supplements.
• Can this medication interact with alcohol or recreational drugs?
• What are your other treatment options if this medication does not work for you?
• What does this medication cost? Who can you talk to if you have concerns about the cost of this medication?

Any changes to treatment—including discontinuing a medication—should always be made under the careful guidance of your healthcare provider. Adhering to your treatment plan will give you the best chance of success with treatment for OUD.