Sublocade

Pain, Opioid-Related Disorders, Pain

Treatment

2 FDA approvals

0 Active Studies for Sublocade

What is Sublocade

Buprenorphine

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Buprenorphine is a medication used to treat severe pain and opioid addiction. It is sold under the brand name Suboxone and contains a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, with the latter helping to reduce the potential for abuse. Buprenorphine is unique in that it binds to opioid receptors slowly, providing relief of pain or withdrawal symptoms for up to 24-36 hours. It also has a “ceiling effect”, meaning that once a certain dose is reached, further increases in dosage do not increase the effects. Buprenorphine is commonly used in opioid agonist

Buprenex

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Sublocade Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Buprenex

Buprenorphine

1985

261

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Buprenorphine, commonly known as Buprenex, is approved by the FDA for 2 uses which include Opioid Dependence and Opioid-Related Disorders .

Opioid Dependence

Used to treat Opioid Dependence in combination with Naloxone

Opioid-Related Disorders

Used to treat Opioid Dependence in combination with Naloxone

Effectiveness

How Sublocade Affects Patients

Buprenorphine is a drug that interacts with the opioid mu-receptor in the brain and spinal cord, reducing pain and making people feel sleepy. It can also cause physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly. Taking it too much or too quickly can cause life-threatening respiratory depression and death. It can also make the bowels slow down, cause changes in hormones, and lead to adrenal insufficiency. Buprenorphine is not recommended for those with severe or moderate liver problems, and should be used with caution in those with head injuries or other conditions that can raise cerebrospinal fluid pressure. It

How Sublocade works in the body

Buprenorphine is a drug that is used to treat opioid addiction. It works by binding to the mu-opioid receptor, but not activating it to the same degree as more potent opioids, like heroin or oxycodone. This results in a slow onset of action and a “ceiling effect”, which means that there is a maximum amount of the drug that can be taken before the effects stop increasing. This can be beneficial because it reduces the risk of overdose and side effects, but also makes it less likely to cause drug-seeking behaviors. However, if buprenorph

When to interrupt dosage

The proposed dosage of Sublocade is contingent upon the determined condition, such as Pain, Pain and Opioid Dependence. The amount also differs depending on the method of delivery (e.g. Tablet - Oral or Sublingual) depicted in the table below.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Pain

0.324 mg/mL, , 0.3 mg/mL, 8.0 mg, 0.01 mg/hour, 0.02 mg/hour, 0.005 mg/hour, 2.0 mg, 80.0 mg, 16.0 mg, 0.075 mg, 0.15 mg, 0.3 mg, 0.45 mg, 0.6 mg, 0.75 mg, 0.9 mg, 0.0075 mg/hour, 0.015 mg/hour, 12.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 1.4 mg, 11.4 mg, 2.9 mg, 5.7 mg, 8.6 mg, 0.7 mg, 4.2 mg, 2.1 mg, 6.3 mg, 0.2 mg, 300.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 0.0025 mg/hour, 74.2 mg, 96.0 mg, 24.0 mg, 128.0 mg, 64.0 mg, 32.0 mg, 300.0 mg/mL, 1000.0 mg/mL, 7.5 mg/hour, 15.0 mg/hour, 20.0 mg/hour, 5.0 mg/hour, 10.0 mg/hour

, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Sublingual, Tablet, Tablet - Sublingual, Patch, extended release, Patch, extended release - Transdermal, Transdermal, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Film, soluble, Film, soluble - Sublingual, Subcutaneous, Implant, Implant - Subcutaneous, Buccal, Film, Film - Buccal, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Sublingual, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Patch, Patch - Transdermal, Film, soluble - Buccal, Pill - Sublingual, Pill, Solution - Subcutaneous, Solution, Film, soluble - Buccal; Sublingual, Buccal; Sublingual, Film - Buccal; Sublingual, Solution, gel forming, extended release, Solution, gel forming, extended release - Subcutaneous

Opioid-Related Disorders

0.324 mg/mL, , 0.3 mg/mL, 8.0 mg, 0.01 mg/hour, 0.02 mg/hour, 0.005 mg/hour, 2.0 mg, 80.0 mg, 16.0 mg, 0.075 mg, 0.15 mg, 0.3 mg, 0.45 mg, 0.6 mg, 0.75 mg, 0.9 mg, 0.0075 mg/hour, 0.015 mg/hour, 12.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 1.4 mg, 11.4 mg, 2.9 mg, 5.7 mg, 8.6 mg, 0.7 mg, 4.2 mg, 2.1 mg, 6.3 mg, 0.2 mg, 300.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 0.0025 mg/hour, 74.2 mg, 96.0 mg, 24.0 mg, 128.0 mg, 64.0 mg, 32.0 mg, 300.0 mg/mL, 1000.0 mg/mL, 7.5 mg/hour, 15.0 mg/hour, 20.0 mg/hour, 5.0 mg/hour, 10.0 mg/hour

, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Sublingual, Tablet, Tablet - Sublingual, Patch, extended release, Patch, extended release - Transdermal, Transdermal, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Film, soluble, Film, soluble - Sublingual, Subcutaneous, Implant, Implant - Subcutaneous, Buccal, Film, Film - Buccal, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Sublingual, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Patch, Patch - Transdermal, Film, soluble - Buccal, Pill - Sublingual, Pill, Solution - Subcutaneous, Solution, Film, soluble - Buccal; Sublingual, Buccal; Sublingual, Film - Buccal; Sublingual, Solution, gel forming, extended release, Solution, gel forming, extended release - Subcutaneous

Pain

0.324 mg/mL, , 0.3 mg/mL, 8.0 mg, 0.01 mg/hour, 0.02 mg/hour, 0.005 mg/hour, 2.0 mg, 80.0 mg, 16.0 mg, 0.075 mg, 0.15 mg, 0.3 mg, 0.45 mg, 0.6 mg, 0.75 mg, 0.9 mg, 0.0075 mg/hour, 0.015 mg/hour, 12.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 1.4 mg, 11.4 mg, 2.9 mg, 5.7 mg, 8.6 mg, 0.7 mg, 4.2 mg, 2.1 mg, 6.3 mg, 0.2 mg, 300.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 0.0025 mg/hour, 74.2 mg, 96.0 mg, 24.0 mg, 128.0 mg, 64.0 mg, 32.0 mg, 300.0 mg/mL, 1000.0 mg/mL, 7.5 mg/hour, 15.0 mg/hour, 20.0 mg/hour, 5.0 mg/hour, 10.0 mg/hour

, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Sublingual, Tablet, Tablet - Sublingual, Patch, extended release, Patch, extended release - Transdermal, Transdermal, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Film, soluble, Film, soluble - Sublingual, Subcutaneous, Implant, Implant - Subcutaneous, Buccal, Film, Film - Buccal, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Sublingual, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Patch, Patch - Transdermal, Film, soluble - Buccal, Pill - Sublingual, Pill, Solution - Subcutaneous, Solution, Film, soluble - Buccal; Sublingual, Buccal; Sublingual, Film - Buccal; Sublingual, Solution, gel forming, extended release, Solution, gel forming, extended release - Subcutaneous

Warnings

Sublocade Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium

Do Not Combine

Asthma

Do Not Combine

Severe Hepatic Impairment

Do Not Combine

suspected gastrointestinal obstruction

Do Not Combine

Pulse Frequency

Do Not Combine

Asthma

Do Not Combine

Gastrointestinal obstruction

Do Not Combine

Head

Do Not Combine

ethanol

Do Not Combine

Stomatitis

Do Not Combine

Abdomen

Do Not Combine

severe CNS depression

Do Not Combine

opioid naive

Do Not Combine

Myasthenia Gravis

Do Not Combine

Epilepsy

Do Not Combine

Hypocalcemia

Do Not Combine

Hypokalemia

Do Not Combine

Hypomagnesemia

Do Not Combine

Mental Depression

Do Not Combine

Cerebrospinal Fluid

Do Not Combine

Long QT Syndrome

Do Not Combine

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Sublocade.

Common Sublocade Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Abemaciclib

Major

The metabolism of Abemaciclib can be decreased when combined with Buprenorphine.

Acalabrutinib

Major

The metabolism of Acalabrutinib can be decreased when combined with Buprenorphine.

Alectinib

Major

The metabolism of Alectinib can be decreased when combined with Buprenorphine.

Aminophylline

Major

The metabolism of Aminophylline can be decreased when combined with Buprenorphine.

Astemizole

Major

The metabolism of Astemizole can be decreased when combined with Buprenorphine.

Sublocade Toxicity & Overdose Risk

Signs of a fentanyl overdose include small pupils, drowsiness, low blood pressure, slower breathing, and in extreme cases, death.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Sublocade Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Sublocade?

21 active clinical trials are currently investigating the potential of Sublocade to address Opioid Dependence, Pain and Painful Disorders.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Pain

0 Actively Recruiting

Pain

0 Actively Recruiting

Opioid-Related Disorders

0 Actively Recruiting

Sublocade Reviews: What are patients saying about Sublocade?

5

Patient Review

10/21/2022

Sublocade for Narcotic Addiction

Suboxone has really helped me turn my life around. It's been a difficult journey, but this medication has made it possible for me to get off of other drugs and live a normal life again. I highly recommend it to anyone who is struggling with addiction.

4.7

Patient Review

3/21/2022

Sublocade for Narcotic Addiction

Sublucade really helped me wean off of Suboxone after being on it for 10+ years. I was able to get my life back and haven't experienced any withdrawal symptoms in the 6 months since stopping treatment.

4.7

Patient Review

5/12/2022

Sublocade for Narcotic Addiction

I'm really happy with this treatment so far! I haven't had any withdrawal symptoms or cravings, and the only tough part was the burning sensation when getting the shot.

4.7

Patient Review

7/10/2022

Sublocade for Narcotic Addiction

After years of addiction, I'm seven months clean after a four-shot Sublucade program. I sincerely hope this medicine can help others who are struggling as I have.

4.3

Patient Review

7/8/2022

Sublocade for Narcotic Addiction

I was struggling with addiction to pills, but this treatment eventually helped me kick the habit. It took a while, but it was worth it in the end.

1

Patient Review

5/2/2022

Sublocade for Narcotic Addiction

Suboxone worked for me for a couple of years, but then last September it stopped being effective. I tried everything the doctors said might help, but nothing did. Finally, I started taking sublocade (a monthly buprenorphine shot), and it worked great at first. But then it started declining in effectiveness until it was no longer detectable in my urine.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about sublocade

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

How long does the Sublocade shot last?

"Sublocade is an injection that you receive once a month. A single injection will last between 28 to 30 days, according to the package insert. You must wait a minimum of 26 days in between Sublocade doses."

Answered by AI

Is Sublocade a narcotic?

"Sublocade is an opioid medication used to treat opioid addiction, not for use as a pain medication."

Answered by AI

What is Sublocade injection used for?

"SUBLOCADE is indicated as a treatment for moderate to severe opioid use disorder in patients who have already started treatment with a product that contains buprenorphine, and have had their dosage adjusted for a minimum of 7 days."

Answered by AI

Is Suboxone the same as Sublocade?

"Sublocade is a monthly injection containing only buprenorphine, while Suboxone is a daily film containing both buprenorphine and naloxone. Naloxone helps protect people from an inadvertent opioid overdose."

Answered by AI