Fentanyl Withdrawal: Understanding Symptom Severity and Exploring the Role of BMI on Withdrawal Symptoms and Clearance

Original research
by
Luba, Rachel et al

Release Date

2022

Geography

USA

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

No

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

No

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

Fentanyl is a highly lipophilic mu opioid receptor agonist increasingly found in heroin and other drug supplies that is contributing to marked increases in opioid-related overdose and may be complicating treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). This study aimed to measure the influence of body mass index (BMI) on fentanyl withdrawal and clearance.

Findings/Key points

High body mass index (BMI) status (overweight or obese) appears to be an important predictor of slower fentanyl clearance and higher SOWS maximum scores across the inpatient period than lower BMI status.

Design/methods

Secondary analysis of an inpatient study (n=150)

Keywords

About PWUD
Withdrawal
Drug checking
Transitions in care/treatment