A Study Comparing Oral Buprenorphine and Injectable Buprenorphine for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder

VA-BRAVE will determine whether a 28-day long-acting injectable sub-cutaneous formulation of buprenorphine at a target dose of 300 milligrams (mg) is superior in retaining Veterans in opioid treatment and in sustaining opioid abstinence compared to the daily sublingual (under the tongue) buprenorphine formulation at a target dose of 4-32 mg (standard of care). This is an open-label, randomized, controlled trial including 952 Veterans with opioid use disorder (OUD) recruited over 7 years and followed actively for 52 weeks. There are a number of secondary objectives that will be studied as well and include: comorbid substance use, both non-fatal and fatal opioid overdose, HIV and Hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) testing results and risk behaviors, incarceration, quality of life, psychiatric symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder, housing status, dental health and utilization, and cost-effectiveness.

Inclusion Criteria: * Has used opioids within 30 days prior to consent or within 30 days prior to entry into a supervised setting -- e.g., opioid use within the 30 days prior to recent (\45 days prior to randomization * Has a history of significant adverse effects from buprenorphine and/or naloxone * Has experienced (within the past 2 weeks) recent suicidal or homicidal ideation that requires acute treatment or hospitalization * Is unwilling or unable to provide consent * Meets criteria for current (past month) DSM-5 severe sedative hypnotic use disorder based on the MINI Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic Use Disorder (SHUD) module * Anuria and/or dialysis * Current moderate to severe COVID-19 symptoms with a risk of intubation or critical illness * Medical, psychiatric, behavioral, or logistical condition which, in the judgement of the Local Site Investigator (LSI) or Co-Investigator (Co-I), requires a higher level of acute care and/or makes it unlikely the patient can participate in or complete the 52-week active phase of the study * Is actively participating in an interventional clinical trial for which a waiver of dual-enrollment with CSP #2014 has not been obtained