Methadone and Buprenorphine/Naloxone Perform Comparably in Rural Programs

This retrospective rural cohort suggests that site-level factors and treatment duration, not medication choice, drive opioid-use and retention outcomes in community-based programs.

methadonebuprenorphine/naloxoneopioid use disorderMOUDopioid agonist treatmentrural healthretrospective cohorttreatment retentionurine toxicology Behavioral Health / Addiction Medicine

Background Information

Methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone show similar efficacy in rural OUD treatment.

Understanding the effectiveness of methadone versus buprenorphine/naloxone in rural settings aids in improving treatment strategies for opioid use disorder. Both medications showed similar effectiveness in reducing opioid use and retaining patients over a year, with clinic site impacting outcomes. This study supports using both methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone in rural areas, highlighting site-specific factors over medication type. Methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone are equally effective in rural OUD treatment programs.

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Authors: MacCamy A, Khairy L, Wasser T, Gill G, Kenefick L, Schmidt A, Akana N, Hall L, Kwon K, Limberg N, Kirk-Lewis K, Lewis M, Owen M, McPherson SM, Miguel AQ

Citation: MacCamy A, Khairy L, Wasser T, et al. Methadone Versus Buprenorphine/Naloxone: Treatment Outcome Differences Among Individuals Receiving Medications for Opioid Use Disorders in Rural Treatment Settings-A 1-Year Retrospective Cohort Study. The Journal of rural health : official journal of the American Rural Health Association and the National Rural Health Care Association. 2026;42(4):e70219. doi:10.1111/jrh.70219

Article Links: PubMed · Journal / DOI · Free Full Text (PMC)

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Executive Summary

Study Design

Patient Population

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes & Safety Profile

Pharmacist Implications

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