Table 2 Low dose induction regimens

Standard regimen

Intravenous (IV) buprenorphine was scheduled every 6 h in 24-h period with the goal of transitioning to sublingual (SL) buprenorphine by day 3 or 4 of therapy

Day 1: IV buprenorphine 0.15 mg every 6 h (~ 1–2 mg SL dose)

Day 2: IV buprenorphine 0.3 mg every 6 h (~ 3–4 mg SL dose)

Transition to SL on day 3 or 4:

Day 3: IV buprenorphine 0.4 mg every 6 h (~ 3.5–5 mg SL dose) or SL buprenorphine/naloxone 2/0.5 mg BID then 4 mg TID on the next day

Day 4: IV buprenorphine 0.5 mg every 6 h (~ 4–6 mg SL dose) or SL buprenorphine/naloxone 2/0.5 mg BID then 4 mg TID on the next day

Slow regimen

IV buprenorphine was scheduled every 12 h in a 24-h period with the goal of transitioning to SL buprenorphine by day 3 or 4 of therapy

Day 1: IV buprenorphine 0.15 mg every 12 h (0.5–1 mg SL dose)

Day 2: IV buprenorphine 0.3 mg every 12 h (~ 1–2 mg SL dose)

Transition to SL on day 3 or 4:

Day 3: IV buprenorphine 0.4 mg every 12 h (~ 1.75–2.5 mg SL dose) or SL buprenorphine/naloxone 2/0.5 mg BID then 4 mg TID on the next day

Day 4: IV buprenorphine 0.5 mg every 12 h (~ 2–3 mg SL dose) or SL buprenorphine/naloxone 2/0.5 mg BID then 4 mg TID on the next day