Table 7.

Typical dosing schedule for methadone or buprenorphine for withdrawal

Medication	Initial Dose	Next Doses in First 24 h	Day 2
Methadone	20 mg oral	Reassess every 2–3 h, giving additional 10 mg until COWS <5 (40 mg maximum in 24 h)	Continue on total dose from first 24 h; can increase to 40 mg if not already reached
Buprenorphine	4 mg sublingual	Reassess every 2–3 h, giving additional 4 mg until COWS <5 (12 mg maximum in 24 h)	Continue on total dose from first 24 h; can increase up to 16 mg