Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance User Reviews (Page 2)

• Zer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2020

"Like most, I'm an ex-IV heroin/oxy user. Been in Suboxone for 2 years, 16 mg daily. Had my first Sublocade shot 48 hours ago at 300 mg. It kinda gave me an opiate high just a couple of hours after the (very painful) injection, and I felt more of a buzz than Suboxone. I'm not like nodding off, but I feel it, which I haven't felt in a very long time. No cravings. I haven't had to take a sublingual dose since the shot. I honestly feel great, but not in a scary way. I highly recommend this for anyone serious about staying clean."

• Cni...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2019

"This wasn’t a godsend for me. I think that there’s not enough known about it currently to suggest it to everybody. First off, buprenorphine is buprenorphine. This is the same medicine as Suboxone, so there’s no way someone on 8 mg and someone on 24 mg are going to be okay on the same dose. Doctors will tell you it’ll be fine and that they don’t know how much it really releases every month, but after looking into it, this thing releases 2 mg a day, and that reduces to one and then half of a mg, which is why most people go through withdrawals for a week or two after changing from stripe to the shot. I personally did. My doctor said almost everyone has a week of WD. This is only for people on a low dose or who want to get off of it so badly that they don’t mind feeling sick. This is great if used as a stepping stone off of Suboxone. I would taper down and then use this to get off. You feel nothing and have cravings. Best for those on low dose wanting off."

• TTa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2020

"Well, I went today and got my first Sublocade injection. I have a pretty good pain tolerance, but I have to admit it was pretty damn painful, it burned pretty bad. So far, though, I feel pretty good. I hope this turns out to be a positive experience. I have been on the subs tablets for about 7 years, and I was tired of dealing with the pharmacy. So I will update soon."

• Hai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2019

"I just received my 4th shot of Sublocade today after taking Suboxone for almost 10 years and being a multiple drug addict for years before that. This shot has literally changed my life. When I was on the pills, it was like I would crave them, but now I don't even think about it. I wake up feeling great and stable all through the day, all through the month. It's been amazing for me."

• Att...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2020

"I have been on some form of buprenorphine for over 10 years. When I first started, I was taking 24 mg daily. I was able to wean down to 16 mg daily, which is still an extremely high dose. I have had absolutely no luck lowering it anymore. I also had an issue taking an extra 1 every few days, which would leave me in withdrawal for the last few days. Knowing those strips were there always screwed me up, but I desperately wanted to get off the meds. I explained the issue I was having with my doctor. He suggested switching to Sublocade. I just received my 5th injection and couldn't be happier! Definitely a good choice for patients who are having trouble weaning yourself off. The first month, I was a little tired, but I can tell you now I feel normal. I love that I no longer have the option to take another strip because of 'stress.' Also, the injection does not hurt. It burns for 20 seconds, then nothing. I'm very excited that I finally can see an end in sight."

• Rhi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 5, 2019

"I will make this short. For some, this stuff may be a godsend, for me, it was good until several months into it, then deep depression. I’ve been fighting the depression for 4 months. I received my last shot 4 months ago as well. I had a blood draw a couple weeks ago to check my bup levels, and they are almost none, but no withdrawal yet. If you're anything like me, I bet you have found nothing on what happens when it fully dissolves? Does anyone have experience with what does happen? I’m expecting withdrawals, but since not even Suboxone/Sublocade, the manufacturer can tell me, I’m at a total loss for information! Thanks for any help...."

• Y S...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 31, 2018

"Amazing feeling, and consistently so. No worries of getting stuck without medication, and no ups and downs. Shot hurts a bit, but well worth it. It’s been a tad difficult dropping to the 100 mg maintenance dose, but easily managed and far superior to the 12 mg Suboxone film I’ve been on for years. My doctor gave me 10 Subutex to help my body adjust, and almost a month later, I have over 8.5 left. Honestly, I’m not sure I needed any at all. I never thought I would be so happy to get my medication injected into me once a month. Insurance has been very good to me regarding coverage as well. Best regards, all."

• Luc...
• January 11, 2019

"Update from my review on 2018-12-15. I am on my 3rd shot, which is now lowered to 100 mg. The shot is very, very painful, it burns like none other. I might be acting like a brat, but damn does that burn. I have a good amount of fat on my belly, though, so that may be why. I can still feel the last 2 depots from the 300 mg shot, so know that the medicine is still in me and I have not had a single bad day. I truly believe this is the miracle drug for getting off opioids. Also, the mg of the shot cannot be compared to the strips. 300 mg of Sublocade is much more than 300 mg of Suboxone due to the method of absorption."

• CJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2018

"Three weeks into the Sublocade shot, and I just had to call in to my sub doctor to get put back on the pills. I thought I could shake the cravings, but then withdrawal came. Watery eyes, runny nose, severe back pain, and absolutely no sleep. I was told that it was PROBABLY because I have a very high metabolism, which is true, I do. I've never weighed over 135 my entire life, and I'm 31 now. But doing some deep research on the shot, and according to the welcome packet I also received, it said the shot isn't intended for anyone who is on a dose higher than 8 mg. And I was on 16 mg a day before three weeks ago. I don't know, maybe I read that wrong, but that's my story. It didn't work well for me, but everyone is different. If it works for you, stick to it. It's a nice idea. Maybe after I've been tapered down some, I'll go back, but it's just too big a jump from 16 mg a day for a year and a half to that shot. Not to mention it's very painful."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2019

"I have been on two 8 mg Suboxone for about 10 years. Weaning off and going through withdrawal has always been my biggest hurdle to quitting. My doctor mentioned this shot to me. Said minimal side effects and coming off the shot is nothing like strips. I had my first shot yesterday and felt fine, but day 2 and I feel awful. The worst stomach pain, nausea, and headache. I sure hope this goes away. The idea of not having to worry about taking meds every day is a Godsend."

• Jam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2018

"I wanted to update my review on Sublocade. I decided to fight through those few days of not feeling great, and I am doing a lot better now. If you experience a little withdrawal, you should try to stick with it and see if it goes away. Like I said, the first 4 days were great, and then on the 5th day, I started to feel mild withdrawal. The mild withdrawal only took another 5 days to get over, and now I feel great. Now I am getting my second shot tomorrow. They say that your blood levels go up with each shot that you get. I still have a lump in my stomach, but I can tell half of it dissolved. It looks like you will have 2 to 3 depots supplying medicine at a time during Sublocade treatment. I really enjoy not going to the pharmacy and keeping track of film and pills. This is much better. I am glad I stuck with it. It is much better than the Probuphine implant that I had."

• Lyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2019

"I've been almost 2 years off heroin! So I was getting tired of taking something every day to not be sick. I took 8.2 strips 2x a day, so my doctor offered me the Sublocade because it's a continuous dose and I wouldn't have to worry about taking something every day! She did warn me that a few patients a week before their next dose started to feel withdrawals, so she would order me strips the last week if I felt sick, so I was very nervous to try it! 2 days ago, I got my first Sublocade shot, the 300 mg, which is the loader dose. They give you 2 rounds of the 300 mg doses, then the 3rd month do the maintenance dose, which is 100 mg! So when I got it, she said I'd feel a sting, it does not feel great, but not horrible for 5 seconds, and it wasn't sore until 24 hours later. Day 2, and it is more sore than the 1st day and warm at the spot! I called my doc, and she said it would be sore for a few days, but I feel great, no withdrawal symptoms or cravings, and I feel leveled out."

• Kel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 7, 2019

"I first got this shot May 2018. Before the shot, I was taking Suboxone 1x day 8mg. Before Suboxone, I was on 120mg of methadone. I was feeling some withdrawals and discomfort on Suboxone, so my doctor recommended doing this shot instead of the film. It was the best thing I could have done. I have had no withdrawals yet. I started 2 months 300mg, then down to 100mg. I felt some withdrawals when switching the doses. I called my doctor and said I wanted to stay on 300mg longer because of some withdrawals. I have been sober almost 7 years. I also had no side effects. But it hurts and stings going in, but to me, it’s worth it. I live in New York, and I have Medicaid, and they completely cover the cost."

• Mst...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2019

"I was skeptical about this route of administration because of how new it was. I’ve been every form of bupe a few several times; on and off of Suboxone since 2005-ish and was able to get myself down to about 4-6 mg. I got the shot and felt okay the first three days. But after that, I began feeling off at night. The restless leg feeling started, but in my whole body—I wasn’t sure if it was withdrawal symptoms or psychosomatic. Then it continued each night. The last few nights have been so awful, I was nearly in tears with aggravation and discomfort. During the day I seem to be fine, but as soon as evening rolls around, it begins. Anyone else have a similar experience? I couldn’t find RLS (more like restless entire body syndrome) as a side effect for Sublocade, and my DR is clear set that it just absolutely CANNOT be withdrawal. Not sure what to think or do at this point."

• Uns...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2020

"To anyone wanting to try Sublocade, do your research and ensure you're a good match before doing so. I left a review previously, I was on Suboxone for 9 years prior to trying the injection. Overall, I had a severe adverse reaction to the injection and 'did' have it surgically removed. Yes, removed! It is possible and very easy. I had immediate relief. Overall, the injection caused necrosis, causing the tissue in my stomach to die and is why I was having serious reactions. I am very happy to be back on the tabs and feeling normal again!"

• Opi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 19, 2019

"I was so scared and so worried about losing the strips when my doctor recommended this shot! He said that this would stop my taking more strips than needed and the ups and downs of them during the day and night. Let me tell you, he was right! This shot is amazing and is doing everything he said it would do for me! And it’s painless! He gives a little shot of lidocaine before he injects the Sublocade, and when the shot of Sublocade is going in, you don’t feel a thing, I’m serious! About an hour later, I could feel the medicine working, it’s that fast. And the bump is not very noticeable, but you can feel it’s there. I highly recommend anyone in the same situation as I was to try this! You got nothing to lose, you can always go back on the strips if you choose to."

• Joe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2024

"First injection was February 2023. I decided the third injection was my last. Now it's February 2024. I'm now free of a 12-year 24mg/daily Suboxone addiction. Sublocade is a miracle prescription injection. Never had any withdrawal that I recall."

• Woo...
• August 13, 2020

"I was on 16 mg of Suboxone for 3 years. Got my first 300 mg Sublocade shot yesterday. So far, feel good, even a little high. Read all the reviews, so I cut my dose in half 2 weeks prior, then took nothing for 2 days prior. Was entering acute withdrawal prior to the shot. Hoping this will do away with the withdrawal from swapping. Will keep you posted!"

• Bbm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2024

"So I was on Subutex for two years and then I heard of Sublocade 300 mg. I took one shot, and then they told me I had to take another shot the next month of 100 mg. I never went to get the next shot, and I never withdrew. It just titrated me off without any withdrawal. I never needed to get another shot. It was the best thing I’ve ever done. Don’t be scared to get off of it. Once you get one shot, it releases so slowly that by the time it’s done, you no longer need it. Trust me, I’ve had this issue for so long. I’ve even done Ibogaine in Cancun. This is the next best thing to Ibogaine."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2019

"I'm scheduled to get my Sublocade shot in 6 days. I've been on Suboxone since 2007, still feel like a drug addict, still chasing down the meds, reinforcing that drug seeking, that's what I want to stop. The reviews that I've read, it seems to be working best for dosages like 12 mg-24 mg. Low dose may be getting too much medication, symptoms are fairly close. It is approximately 2 mg released per hour, my doctor will supplement it until my body gets used to the slow release. I'm on a 24 mg split dose, I get 12 mg in the AM then 12 mg PM. You don't get that initial high, but I'm not sick either, plus I'm not trying to get 'high, I'm trying for clean."

• Luc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2018

"The shot is painful, but only takes 30 seconds. 30 seconds for 30 days is a trade-off I'm good with. It works. Does everything it claims. Couldn't be happier or agree more with the below positive reviews. I will say, though, if you aren't taking 12 mgs+ a day, that 300 mg shot is going to be very strong, you will sleep hard. Highly recommend! I have great insurance, and I'm willing to pay out-of-network costs just for this."

• Dre...
• April 9, 2019

"So, I have been on Suboxone for 4 years now in maintenance. I take two 8 mg strips a day and heard about this Suboxone shot because taking strips twice a day becomes an inconvenience. I took the shot Friday at 1:30 pm. It didn’t burn as bad as some people say. I started to feel the injection within a couple of hours. That night, I felt I had a pretty high dose of it in my body. The next day, Saturday, I felt great, plenty of energy, and no negative symptoms at all. I felt amazing. Sunday night, I started to slightly get tired and out of it. It’s now Monday night, and I feel horrible, like I’m withdrawing, like a really bad flu. So now I have to make a decision on what to do. If anyone on here has advice on what I should do, please answer my message. I would greatly appreciate it. I’m not sure if I should wait it out and see what happens. Will it get better or worse? I’m crossing my fingers, and I hope this advice helps someone out there."

• Arc...
• February 25, 2019

"I usually take 2.5 8 mg strips a day. I have been on Suboxone since 2004 through multiple doctors (some great and some really bad). I received my first Sublocade shot almost 3 weeks ago. The first 2 days were fine. I did not take any strips on those days. Halfway through the 3rd day, I started to feel withdrawals (WDs), and I took one of my remaining strips to ease those feelings. After running out of the strips and depending only on this “depot,” I am experiencing WDs. As far as I can tell, having 15 years of experience with Bupe, (1) 300 mg shot delivers about 2 mg daily in my system. This could work great for those who are on a low dose of sub (2-4 mg daily), but for those who are on 16 or higher... beware! I don't know if I will continue this route of administration. There just isn’t enough information on this medicine to make a clear judgment on its potential. I pray it works for you."

• Ana...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2019

"Ok, so first of all, I give them a 10 because I'm definitely grateful for getting it. It has curbed my cravings, and I feel like myself for the first time in a few years as a heroin addict. The only thing is I didn't take Suboxone for days before. My husband and I went from 3 grams a day to the shot just hours after using last. Misinformed that it wouldn't throw us into precipitated withdrawals. Unbeknownst to us, we got the shot feeling fine for the first 2 hours. We spent the next 6 days sicker than ever before. And insomnia was a nice word for what we had. We just had our second shot yesterday and feel much better. Other than being in actual withdrawal to begin with or on sub strips first, I definitely recommend you get it. Just make sure you get all the facts from your provider."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2019

"Been on 16 mg of Suboxone for 6 months. Got sick of running out too quickly. Loved Suboxone too much. A few times I let myself go into withdrawals by skipping my dose for a few days just so I would feel high when I took it again. Way too much of an addict to take Suboxone. Just got my first Sublocade injection. Might be placebo because it’s only been an hour, and I already have that sunny day warm brain feeling, lol. Ran out of my subs two days ago, so I was craving opiates pretty bad. Really hope this works. Pain wasn’t too bad. Felt like getting a tattoo for 30 seconds."