An exploratory analysis of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors and risk of opioid use disorder among male Medicare beneficiaries receiving prescription opioid medications.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Opioid use disorder (OUD) imposes a significant socioeconomic burden, highlighting the need for new interventions.

Objective

This study investigated whether exposure to 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5αRIs) is associated with a lower risk of developing OUD.

Methods

A cohort study was conducted using Medicare data from 2017 to 2019. Male subjects identified as receiving at least one opioid medication were propensity score matched based on exposure to a 5αRI medication. The primary outcome of interest was a diagnosis of OUD occurring following opioid exposure. Additionally, the study compared the number of morphine milliequivalents (MME) and the count of opioid prescription claims between the groups.

Results

We identified 467,399 subjects who had receiv

SUBMITTER: Tawfik AG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12747702 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature