Which medications are commonly used in MAT for opioid use disorder?

• A. Methadone and Buprenorphine only
• B. Buprenorphine and Naloxone
• C. Methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone
• D. Naltrexone alone

Answer: (C)

MAT for opioid use disorder relies on medications that interact with the opioid system in different ways to reduce withdrawal, craving, and relapse risk. Methadone is a full mu-opioid receptor agonist that smoothly suppresses withdrawal and cravings with a long duration of action, typically dispensed in a certified clinic under supervision. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist with a ceiling effect on respiratory depression, which lowers overdose risk and makes office-based prescribing feasible with proper waivers; it’s often given with naloxone to deter misuse. Naltrexone is an antagonist that blocks opioid effects and is started after detoxification, available in daily or monthly extended-release forms to support relapse prevention.

Including all three—methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone—reflects the main pharmacologic options used in MAT for opioid use disorder, each serving different clinical scenarios and settings. Naloxone, while crucial for overdose reversal, is not used as a primary MAT agent by itself.