University Presentation Showcase: Graduate Division
EMS Administration of Long-Acting Buprenorphine Post-Opioid Overdose: A Prehospital Pilot Program
Presenter Hometown
Lexington, KY
Major
Master's of Public Health
Department
Health Promotion and Administration
Degree
Graduate
Mentor
Jonathan Vorbeck
Mentor Department
Health Promotion and Administration
Recommended Citation
DeBoor, Julia E., "EMS Administration of Long-Acting Buprenorphine Post-Opioid Overdose: A Prehospital Pilot Program" (2026). University Presentation Showcase Event. 5.
https://encompass.eku.edu/swps/2026/graduate/5
Abstract
Buprenorphine is a partial μ-opioid receptor agonist, unlike other full μ-opioid receptor agonists such as heroin and fentanyl, buprenorphine does not have the negative effects of respiratory depression and sedation. This makes buprenorphine an effective medication in the treatment of opioid-use disorder (OUD). In recent years, emergency medical services have begun implementing sublingual buprenorphine in the treatment of opioid withdrawal post-naloxone administration. To further enhance the efficacy of buprenorphine use and reduce relapse rates among those receiving buprenorphine from prehospital providers, the use of a long-acting injectable form of buprenorphine has been proposed. This leads to the purpose of this study. A pilot program will be constructed to implement the use of long-acting buprenorphine immediately post-overdose for patients experiencing withdrawal from excessive Naloxone use. The results and patient outcomes of this study will be recorded to measure the efficacy and variables affecting the implementation of long-acting buprenorphine by EMS.
Keywords and terms: opioid-use disorder (OUD), buprenorphine (BUPE), precipitated withdrawal, Brixadi, naloxone/narcan, medication-assisted therapy (MAT), sublingual (SL)
Presentation format
Poster
EMS Administration of Long-Acting Buprenorphine Post-Opioid Overdose: A Prehospital Pilot Program
Buprenorphine is a partial μ-opioid receptor agonist, unlike other full μ-opioid receptor agonists such as heroin and fentanyl, buprenorphine does not have the negative effects of respiratory depression and sedation. This makes buprenorphine an effective medication in the treatment of opioid-use disorder (OUD). In recent years, emergency medical services have begun implementing sublingual buprenorphine in the treatment of opioid withdrawal post-naloxone administration. To further enhance the efficacy of buprenorphine use and reduce relapse rates among those receiving buprenorphine from prehospital providers, the use of a long-acting injectable form of buprenorphine has been proposed. This leads to the purpose of this study. A pilot program will be constructed to implement the use of long-acting buprenorphine immediately post-overdose for patients experiencing withdrawal from excessive Naloxone use. The results and patient outcomes of this study will be recorded to measure the efficacy and variables affecting the implementation of long-acting buprenorphine by EMS.
Keywords and terms: opioid-use disorder (OUD), buprenorphine (BUPE), precipitated withdrawal, Brixadi, naloxone/narcan, medication-assisted therapy (MAT), sublingual (SL)
