Sublocade Treatment for Opioid Addiction:

Introduction

The opioid crisis has profoundly affected individuals and families nationwide, making access to effective and dependable treatment options crucial. Sublocade treatment, an extended-release injection, offers a promising solution for opioid addiction recovery by managing withdrawal symptoms and cravings. It fosters sustainable change through convenient and effective monthly dosing.

What is Sublocade?

Sublocade is an injectable form of buprenorphine designed specifically to treat opioid addiction. Unlike daily medications, Sublocade is administered monthly, providing a steady, long-lasting solution to control cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This monthly injection format is ideal for outpatient settings, helping patients receive continuous care without the daily commitment of traditional treatments.

How Does Sublocade Treatment Work?

Sublocade works by delivering buprenorphine continuously for a month, effectively reducing opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms. By activating certain brain receptors partially, it acts on the same receptors as opioids but with a “ceiling effect” that limits euphoria and respiratory depression. This action blocks the intense high that other opioids create, gradually normalizing brain chemistry and supporting long-term recovery.

How Does Sublocade Compare with Other Treatments?

Sublocade, Brixadi, and Vivitrol are advanced monthly injection medications for treating opioid use disorder, each offering distinct approaches to support long-term recovery. While Sublocade and Brixadi deliver buprenorphine, Vivitrol provides a naltrexone-based alternative, highlighting the importance of tailoring treatment to individual needs and recovery goals.

Sublocade vs. Suboxone

Suboxone requires daily self-administration, which relies on the patient’s consistency and commitment. Sublocade treatment with monthly injections eliminates the need to remember daily medication, reducing the risk of missed doses or inconsistent treatment.

Sublocade vs. Brixadi

While both are injectable buprenorphine treatments, Brixadi offers weekly injections in addition to monthly injections. Both Sublocade and Brixadi offers more convenience .

Sublocade vs. Vivitrol

Unlike buprenorphine-based treatments, Vivitrol contains naltrexone, which works by blocking opioid receptors entirely. For people at risk of relapse, Sublocade can be a better fit due to its partial agonist properties that still engage opioid receptors while mitigating cravings.

How Effective is Sublocade in Opioid Recovery?

Research shows that Sublocade significantly reduces opioid cravings and helps maintain long-term recovery. Its once-monthly administration minimizes the likelihood of recurrence and improves patient adherence.

What Are the Benefits of Sublocade Treatment?

Convenience of Monthly Sublocade Injections:

A monthly injection schedule provides patients with reliable treatment, eliminating the stress of daily medication routines, navigating stigmatizing pharmacy experiences or partial fills, coordinating medication for travel, and worrying about running out while away.

Sublocade Treatment Provides Stable Buprenorphine Levels:

Sublocade ensures a steady, continuous release of buprenorphine, maintaining consistent bloodstream concentrations throughout the month and providing more stable symptom management.

Sublocade Injections Reduces the Risk of Misuse & Diversion:

Administered under medical supervision, Sublocade remains secure within the clinical setting, eliminating the potential for diversion or misuse and offering patients a safer, controlled recovery option.

Sublocade Treatment Lowers the Risk of Recurrence:

The long-acting effects of Sublocade help suppress opioid cravings, reducing the likelihood of returning to opioid use and supporting sustained recovery.

What Are the Risks of Sublocade Treatment?

Though effective, Sublocade is a strong medication and may not suit everyone. Risks include dependency on buprenorphine and potential interactions with other medications.

Avoid alcohol and sedatives while taking Sublocade to prevent dangerous interactions. Always consult with a healthcare provider about any other medications.

What Are Potential Side Effects of Sublocade Treatment?

Common side effects include mild nausea, headaches, constipation, fatigue and injection-site reactions. Serious side effects are rare but may include respiratory depression. Always consult your provider if you experience unusual symptoms.

How is Sublocade Treatment Started?

Sublocade is prescribed by certified healthcare providers and it is administered after patients have initiated buprenorphine therapy through other forms, like Suboxone, for a minimum of seven days.

Sublocade is administered as a monthly injection underneath the skin in the abdomen. The standard initial dose is 300 mg, with subsequent doses potentially adjusted to 100 mg depending on the patient’s response.

Where Can I Find Sublocade Providers?

In Sarasota, FL, Solstice Health & Wellness is among the outpatient centers offering Sublocade as part of their addiction treatment programs. They can assess your needs and determine if Sublocade treatment suits your recovery goals.

Additionally, the Sublocade website offers a helpful “Find a SUBLOCADE Treatment Provider” tool, enabling you to locate certified physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who treat opioid use disorder.

Conclusion

Sublocade has revolutionized opioid addiction treatment, offering a reliable and manageable recovery tool for patients. It provides a highly effective and convenient option making it a valuable component of a comprehensive addiction treatment plan.

References

1. FDA Approval of Sublocade: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Sublocade as the first once-monthly injectable buprenorphine product for treating moderate-to-severe opioid use disorder in adults.  FDA
2. Effectiveness of Monthly Buprenorphine Injections: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported on the effectiveness of monthly buprenorphine injections, such as Sublocade, in treating opioid use disorders. National Institutes of Health
3. Krupitsky, E., Nunes, E.V., Ling, W., Illeperuma, A., Gastfriend, D.R. & Silverman, B.L. Injectable Extended-Release Naltrexone for Opioid Dependence: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicentre Randomized Trial. The Lancet 377, 1506–1513 (2011). The Lancet