Sublocade is an extended-release formulation of buprenorphine administered via injection and generally active within the body for 28 days.
Inform Your Provider
Before being prescribed SUBLOCADE, be sure to talk to your provider about any medical conditions including:
- trouble breathing or lung problems
- a curve in your spine that affects your breathing
- Addison’s disease
- an enlarged prostate gland (men)
- problems urinating
- liver, kidney, or gallbladder problems
- alcoholism
- a head injury or brain problems
- mental health problems
- adrenal gland or thyroid gland problems
Emergancy
SUBLOCADE can cause serious or life-threatening problems, please call 911 or seek emergency assistance if you are experiencing:
- feeling faint
- feeling dizzy
- Confusion
- feeling sleepy or uncoordinated
- have blurred vision
- have slurred speech
- breathing slower than normal
- cannot think well or clearly
Benefits
Extended Duration of Action
Sublocade is administered as a monthly injection, providing a continuous release of buprenorphine over an extended period. This eliminates the need for daily dosing, ensuring consistent blood levels of medication throughout the month. The extended duration of action helps stabilize opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Reduced Risk of Diversion
Sublocade's formulation and administration method reduce the risk of diversion, which refers to the unauthorized distribution or misuse of medication. Since the medication is administered by a healthcare provider, there is a reduced chance of the medication being diverted to the illicit market. This can enhance safety and reduce the potential for misuse.
Convenience and Reduced Stigma
The monthly injection of Sublocade offers convenience and reduces the stigma associated with taking daily medication for opioid addiction. Individuals do not have to carry or handle medication daily, and the administration of the injection by a healthcare provider can be seen as a routine medical procedure rather than a daily reminder of addiction treatment.
Improved Medication Adherence
Since Sublocade is administered by a healthcare provider, it eliminates the need for individuals to self-administer medication daily as required with other forms of buprenorphine, such as Suboxone. This can improve medication adherence, as individuals do not have to remember to take their medication each day. Improved adherence reduces the risk of relapse and improves treatment outcomes.
Supportive Treatment Environment
The monthly injection schedule of Sublocade promotes ongoing engagement with healthcare providers and treatment services. Regular appointments for administration allow for consistent monitoring, support, and counseling. This can foster a supportive treatment environment and increase the likelihood of individuals actively participating in their recovery.
Long-Acting Relapse Prevention
The extended-release nature of Sublocade helps provide continuous medication coverage throughout the month, reducing the risk of relapse. By maintaining steady levels of buprenorphine, it helps individuals resist cravings, stabilize their opioid receptors, and prevent the onset of withdrawal symptoms. This can improve the chances of sustained recovery and long-term abstinence from opioids.
Why Transition to Sublocade?
Sublocade and Suboxone are both medications used in opioid addiction treatment, but they have different formulations and administration methods. While the effectiveness of a particular medication can vary depending on the individual, here are a few reasons why Sublocade may be considered more effective for some individuals compared to Suboxone:
Extended-Release Formulation
Sublocade is an extended-release formulation of buprenorphine. It is administered as a monthly injection, delivering a consistent and controlled dose of medication over an extended period. This eliminates the need for daily dosing or the risk of missed or inconsistent doses, which can be a challenge for some individuals.
Improved Medication Adherence
Since Sublocade is administered monthly by a healthcare provider, it eliminates the need for individuals to self-administer medication daily as required with Suboxone. This can help improve medication adherence, reducing the risk of relapse and improving overall treatment outcomes.
Reduced Stigma and Diversion Potential
Sublocade's monthly injection administration can reduce the stigma associated with taking medication for opioid addiction, as individuals do not have to carry or handle medication daily. Additionally, the reduced risk of diversion (the unauthorized distribution of medication) can be an advantage, as the medication is administered by a healthcare professional, minimizing the potential for misuse or diversion.
Elimination of Medication Adjustment
Sublocade provides a fixed dose of medication, ensuring consistent blood levels of buprenorphine throughout the month. With Suboxone, the dose may need to be adjusted over time to find the optimal balance for each individual. Sublocade's fixed dose eliminates the need for dose adjustments, simplifying the treatment process.
Reduction of Cravings and Withdrawal Symptoms
Like Suboxone, Sublocade contains buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist that helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. By providing a consistent and sustained level of medication, Sublocade can provide ongoing relief from cravings and withdrawal symptoms throughout the month, potentially improving treatment outcomes.
Sublocade vs Vivitrol
The effectiveness of Sublocade (buprenorphine extended-release) compared to Vivitrol (naltrexone extended-release) can vary depending on individual circumstances, treatment goals, and the substance of addiction. Both medications have different mechanisms of action and are used in different contexts. Here are some key considerations:
Opioid Addiction Treatment
Sublocade is specifically designed for the treatment of opioid addiction. It contains buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist that helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Buprenorphine-based medications, including Sublocade, have been extensively studied and proven to be effective in opioid addiction treatment, with a strong evidence base supporting their use.
Opioid Agonist vs. Opioid Antagonist
Sublocade (buprenorphine) is an opioid agonist, which means it partially activates the same receptors in the brain that opioids target. It helps stabilize opioid receptors and alleviate withdrawal symptoms without producing the same intense euphoria as full agonist opioids. Vivitrol (naltrexone), on the other hand, is an opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids. It does not activate the opioid receptors and is used to support abstinence.
Individual Response and Treatment Goals
The effectiveness of medication can vary from person to person. Some individuals may respond better to the opioid agonist properties of buprenorphine (Sublocade) due to its ability to alleviate cravings and withdrawal symptoms while providing a more gradual tapering effect. Others may prefer Vivitrol (naltrexone) as it blocks the effects of opioids and supports complete abstinence.
Medication Adherence
Sublocade is administered as a monthly injection by a healthcare provider, while Vivitrol can be given as a monthly injection or taken as an oral tablet daily. The ease of administration and individual preference can impact medication adherence and overall treatment success.
Co-Occurring Conditions
If an individual has co-occurring alcohol use disorder along with opioid addiction, Vivitrol may be more suitable as it can address both conditions. Sublocade is specific to opioid addiction treatment.
Safety Consideration
Both medications have their own safety profiles and potential side effects. It's important to discuss with a healthcare provider about any pre-existing medical conditions, potential interactions with other medications, and individual risk factors to determine the most appropriate and safe medication option.
The choice between Sublocade and Vivitrol should be based on individual needs, preferences, treatment goals, and a thorough assessment by a healthcare provider specializing in addiction medicine. It is recommended to have a detailed discussion with a healthcare provider to determine the most effective treatment approach for your specific situation.
Talk with your Provider
It’s important to remember that healthcare providers are there to assist and support you in finding the best treatment options. They can provide medical expertise, personalized care, and ongoing support to help you manage your condition effectively. Open communication with your healthcare provider allows for collaborative decision-making and ensures that you receive the most appropriate and effective medication for your specific needs. Healthcare providers have the knowledge and expertise to assess your specific needs and make informed decisions regarding medication. They are trained to evaluate your medical history, symptoms, and any potential contraindications or interactions with other medications you may be taking. They can provide accurate information about available medications, the benefits, potential side effects, and the appropriate dosage.
Co-Pay Visit
We can help you pay for your treatment. We will work with you to fill out the necessary paperwork.- Partial Coverage
- May not cover Medication
- Additional Documentation Needed
Insured Visit
We accept a wide range of insurance providers, call ahead or check with our front desk to verify if yours is accepted!- Expenses Covered
- No Clinical Charge
- CORDANT Access
Uninsured Visit
Standard rates for uninsured visit, if you are interested in gaining access to insurance benefits please visit our resources page.- Price Per Visit
- Not recommended
- Low Support/Aid access
Notice: Pricing listed above are estimations based of off patient experiences, total expenses per visits may differ from patient to patient and should not be taken as an exact prices for your specific experience within our program.
For More Information
For more information relating to this medication along with health and safety concerns please Click Here to be routed to the medications distributor website. Reviewing this information can better assist you in understanding thee effects and safety procedures when interacting with SUBLOCADE.