Buprenorphine Formulary Change

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At a Glance

Following a recent policy change, any UF Health provider with Schedule III authority is now empowered to prescribe buprenorphine for inpatient Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and pain management.

On This Page You Will:

Learn what buprenorphine is, including its mechanism as a partial mu-opioid agonist, as well as its safety profile
Understand changes in UF Health policy that have removed previous prescribing restrictions for buprenorphine
Find guidance on initiating and continuing buprenorphine for both OUD and acute pain.

Buprenorphine Prescribing at UF Health

Buprenorphine is a vital therapy for managing both Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and acute pain, offering a potentially safer alternative to full agonist opioids due to its ceiling effect on respiratory depression. Historically, prescribing buprenorphine for OUD was limited by federal regulations and, more recently, by institutional restrictions at UF Health that limited its use to consulting services.

To align with contemporary practice and expand access to this important medication, the UF Health Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee has removed all prescribing restrictions for sublingual buprenorphine. Any provider with Schedule III authority—including physicians, physician extenders, and housestaff—can now order buprenorphine for inpatient use. This applies to initiating therapy for OUD or pain as well as continuing a patient’s home regimen. While this change empowers more clinicians to use this tool, it is crucial to understand its nuances, such as the risk of precipitating withdrawal, and to ensure adequate follow-up upon discharge.

Resources

The resources below provide essential information on the new prescribing guidelines and foundational knowledge about buprenorphine to support you in using this therapy safely and effectively.