Clinical Considerations for Responding to Synthetic Opioid Use

This session examined key clinical considerations for responding to synthetic opioid use, with a focus on how fentanyl’s unique pharmacological properties influence treatment and care. Evidence highlighted that medications for opioid use disorder – particularly methadone and buprenorphine – remain effective in reducing mortality and supporting retention despite an increasingly toxic drug supply. However, clinical approaches may require adaptation, including cautious induction strategies and flexible dosing. Emerging innovations such as extended‑release buprenorphine and slow‑release oral morphine show promise for improving outcomes. Collectively, the session emphasised the need to integrate pharmacotherapy with overdose prevention, drug checking, and other harm reduction interventions to deliver safe, responsive, and patient‑centred clinical care in the synthetic opioid era.

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