Longer Postpartum MOUD Duration Halves Overdose and Death Risk
This Tennessee Medicaid cohort quantifies how cumulative buprenorphine days during pregnancy and early post partum track with reduced late postpartum overdose and death, reinforcing the pharmacist's role in treatment continuity.
📅 Journal publication: Oct 1, 2026·Last updated: Oct 6, 2026
buprenorphinenaltrexonemedications for opioid use disorderMOUDopioid use disorderpregnancypostpartumoverdosematernal mortalityMedicaidcohort studyaddiction medicineBehavioral Health / Addiction Medicine
Proper management of opioid use disorder (OUD) during and after pregnancy is critical to reduce maternal mortality, which is often due to overdose. Longer duration of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) postpartum was linked to a lower risk of overdose or death within a year, with a hazard ratio of 0.52 for 132 days of treatment. This study supports the extension of MOUD beyond the traditionally recommended postpartum period to improve maternal outcomes. The retrospective design and use of state-specific data may limit generalizability. Extending MOUD duration post partum reduces overdose and death risks.
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Authors:Kim A, Wiese AD, Osmundson S, You C, Grijalva CG, Adgent MA, Sundermann AC, Spieker AJ, Pham A, Patrick SW, Leech AA
Citation:Kim A, Wiese AD, Osmundson S, et al. Duration of Medication Use for Opioid Use Disorder and Risk of Postpartum Overdose and Death. JAMA network open. 2026;9(10):e2637214. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.37214
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Executive Summary
Study Design
Patient Population
Primary Outcomes
Secondary Outcomes & Safety Profile
Pharmacist Implications
Clinical Pearls
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