Sabine Friedrich, MD

Taking medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder (MOUD) during pregnancy can improve maternal and fetal outcomes, lowering risk of maternal overdose and preterm birth.

Both buprenorphine and methadone are recommended medications for opioid use disorder and are administered in different ways—methadone often requires daily clinic visits whereas buprenorphine can be prescribed.

Studies comparing the two drugs, especially their long-term impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes for children, have been limited.

In a new study, lead author Sabine Friedrich, MD, a former member of the Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics in the Mass General Brigham Department of Medicine, and colleagues examined nationwide data on neurodevelopmental outcomes for children with prenatal exposure to the opioid use disorder medications buprenorphine or methadone.

They found no increased risk of long-term adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes associated with buprenorphine compared with methadone.

The authors conclude that the findings should reassure providers and individuals who are considering the two treatment options for opioid use disorder during pregnancy.

Published in BMJ on April 15, 2026 | Read the paper: “Prenatal exposure to buprenorphine or methadone and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes: population based cohort study”

Summary reviewed by: Sabine Friedrich, MD, lead author; Krista F. Huybrechts, MS, PhD, co-author