Opioid use disorder patients prescribed buprenorphine have double the odds of a drug-related poisoning when co-prescribed benzodiazepines, with short-acting and high-dose benzodiazepines conferring additional risk. Buprenorphine remains protective against overdose in this high-risk population. Our findings contribute to emerging evidence that OUD patients receiving buprenorphine may benefit from cessation or dose-reduction of benzodiazepine use while remaining on buprenorphine.
