Sublocade for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance User Reviews (Page 3)

• Mas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2020

"I am about 72 hours post-initial 300 mg Sublocade shot. The needle itself is painless, but the medication does hurt going in. As a previous Vivitrol patient, I expected the same results and quickly learned the difference in the two, pain-wise. For me, it definitely gives you an opiate-type high, something I wasn’t expecting, and I was very nauseous, even when previously on (2) 8 mg pills per day. The high lasted a couple of days, but now on my third day, I am starting to feel withdrawal symptoms. I woke up feeling like I am used to feeling this morning. It’s not extreme, just fatigued throughout the day. I may need to supplement a few mg per day. As for the injection, you are left with a big lump. (I am a very thin person, and it’s extremely noticeable.) I was unaware and thought it was abnormal until I read these reviews. It’s very serious, as it affects your life directly. Thanks for the input from everyone else."

• Pre...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 15, 2022

"I started on Suboxone 2 years ago. It was fine. No side effects, really, except constipation. I didn't like taking it daily, the whole routine of it, and absolutely didn't like the taste. So I switched to Sublocade. I didn't notice the transition, except being really tired for about two months. I have nothing but good things to say about it, and it's kept me opiate/heroin-free for two years. I have absolutely no desire to use, so I've decided to go off Sublocade cold turkey. After reading the reviews, I'm quite confident."

• Rom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 5, 2022

"I first gave it 5 stars, but now I have to say worst mistake I ever made! I got on Sublocade to get off of subs, and all it did was prolong the misery I get on subs. No sex drive, no emotions except sadness and anger, and no motivation, and now I have to wait possibly 18 to 24 months for it to be out of my system! Don’t do it if you want to get off, just taper."

• Sas...
• February 19, 2020

"I am on my 3rd injection. The first really worked. The second one was useless. My 3rd shot and it worked and helped my chronic pain the first 3 days, now in day 5, it feels like it’s stopped working. I’m wondering how well and how truly effective these shots are. It’s so new on the market that I’m leery, especially after my 2nd one feeling completely useless. If it continues like this, I’m going to ask to go back to the pills."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2019

"I tried to ask my doctor the equivalent of Suboxone to Sublocade... I guess there isn’t an answer. After being on Suboxone for the past 2 years, I felt I was suddenly pushed into this by my doctor. They’ve been giving it to all their other clients. I heard, “everyone feels great on it,” and I thought, hey, it’d be nice to not have to take it daily. (2/8 mg films once daily) It left a rock in my stomach from the actual injection (which wasn’t too bad (with the novocaine)). So, fast forward, it’s about my 3rd week on it. I just woke up and have no desire whatsoever to get out of bed. When I do get up, I feel like puking (not in a good way), and the nausea has been every single day along with very annoying headaches. Not sure why it’s so expensive? Likely because it is new."

• SGT...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2020

"Had my very first Sublocade injection today. So far, I’m really good, it seems to work. HOWEVER! The injection hurt so much, I almost passed out. Know, I’m no stranger to pain, having completed seven years in the US Army (honorably), so know when I say that the Sublocade injection was one of the most painful experiences I’ve ever had to endure, like fire being poured into my nervous system for a full minute (I had the larger dose), that you will know I am not faint of heart or have a low pain threshold. Seriously, I don’t know if I can do that again... willingly."

• Ton...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2020

"I got my 1st Sublocade shot today. I have been on Suboxone for a long time. I started off with 3-8 mg strips a day, down to 1 mg Subutex a day, but it just wasn't enough, so I went to 2 mg and have been on that for about 2 years. Up until 3 weeks ago, I went to 4 when I switched doctors. She mentioned the shot and said she has had a lot of success with it, so I thought, why not try it! I'm not really going through anything, but I do feel like my energy isn't there, but I'm wondering if it's because it's in my mind? I do have a question, though: how often does it release the medicine?"

• Sub...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 5, 2024

"After nearly 17 years on Suboxone, a fellow healthcare worker/addict recommended Sublocade as a means of getting off Suboxone. I've tried to wean myself off of Suboxone, but every time it's been unsuccessful. At the time of switching to Sublocade, I had been taking 2mg/day of Suboxone for approximately 4 years, sometimes dosing back to 4mg/day and being very tired of being dependent on this medication. My addiction doctor told me back in 2006 that I'd have to take it for the rest of my life. I didn't believe him, but after numerous attempts to get off it, I finally gave up until Sublocade became an option. The transition to Sublocade was very rocky, starting off with 100mg Sublocade was a big mistake. I went into major withdrawals within 5 days of the first injection and had to supplement with Suboxone to stabilize. At 300mg for 7 months then 100mg for 2 months then done. No withdrawals until 7 months post-Sublocade, now severe insomnia and RLS, taking Gabapentin to reduce symptoms."

• jin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2024

"This was a miracle drug for me! I was on heroin for 15 years and I had one shot of Sublocade and haven't had a craving since. I tried the strips for years and would end up selling them to get dope money and they just really didn't work for me. I got that shot in 2017 and got it for 2 months after that just to be safe, and I haven't looked back since! I tell everyone I see struggling about my experience with that shot and pray they will try it too! Recovery is possible with the help of Sublocade!"

• Anu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2019

"Took my first shot of Sublocade 300 mg about four hours ago. It stings pretty bad, could feel the medicine clogging up when it hit my body fluid, but it’s a good trade-off for “30 days,” and so far it’s mainly just weird not taking anything, is the biggest part for me. It feels a lot cleaner due to the route of administration. Was on 12 mg Suboxone/day and don’t really have the ups and downs and headaches, etc., from taking too much buprenorphine, but it does feel a lot cleaner. I felt I was almost in bondage having to take my Suboxone every morning, looking forward to it, having to take more meds, etc., so it feels better not having to feel like I’m in bondage to my medicine. It’s only the first day, but so far I already feel “cleaner.”"

• App...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2018

"Scared after reading comments on Sublocade, which I had the shot today. I really hope I don't have withdrawals. But I'm used to only taking 12 mg a day. I've been on Suboxone for 1 year, before that, methadone. It seems most people are honest, but I'd like to know for the people who haven't had issues with Sublocade, are you pot smokers or taking any other meds that might be helping you deal with the switch? Because I don't, and I want to be able to balance the reviews out. Thanks."

• joe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2023

"I had my fourth 300 mg shot yesterday and feel awful: nauseated and badly constipated. I will not be getting any more shots because it did not work for me at all. I might even lose my job because I was too sick to go to work. I have been on Suboxone strips for 13 years and am dying to get off, but I will most likely be on it for my whole life. It's all about the money. Remember that they are not trying to cure anyone. The reason I say this is that buprenorphine, which is sold alone in tablets, works better than Suboxone with no naloxone and only costs $30.00 for a month's supply, whereas Suboxone strips cost hundreds of dollars. The VA medical board told doctors to stop prescribing it about 4 years ago and the only way to get this cheap medication is to be pregnant or allergic to naloxone. It's a 50-50 shot with Sublocade. It did not work for me, and I am stopping. No more for me. It makes me feel like rubbish."

• Swi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2018

"Been on Suboxone for a little over a year and a half, taking the smallest amounts possible just to stave off the withdrawal symptoms that come with Suboxone. Got addicted after a friend offered me them as a treatment for my addiction problem. Anyway, a year and a half trying tapering down and suffering with Suboxone, I went to the doctor myself and got the 300 Sublocade shot yesterday. So far, been very sleepy, dizzy, and blurry vision, these side effects are going away slowly throughout the day, though. Read someone had a great experience, happy to have read that. Will post back when further into the program."

• Dav...
• December 26, 2018

"I have been taking 8 mg of Suboxone for 2.5 years now, and decided to make the switch to the shot to break the habit of waking up and expecting to take something every morning. 2 hours in and I am a little tired, but other than that, all is well. Have not taken any Suboxone since yesterday morning, and so far no withdrawal symptoms. So that’s 32 hours without Suboxone and getting the shot 2 hours ago with no withdrawal so far, I think I’m good to go. I was told some people experience withdrawal at the beginning of getting this shot, but I think that only happens to those that switch from a very high dose of Suboxone (above 12 mg) without tapering down some first. I’m no doctor, but have plenty of experience with addiction. My suggestion would be to make sure you’re on a regular dose of 8 mg per day of Suboxone before getting the shot. If you do and attend NA meetings regularly, this medicine is really a lifesaver. Don’t depend on the medicine alone, get involved in your local NA!!"

• Els...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2023

"My story is just like everyone else's. I'm 44 and have been addicted to opiates for the last 20+ years. I was on 16 mg of Suboxone a day for the last 4 years. Before that, it was methadone, Dilaudid, crack, benzos, oxy's, heroin, and just about everything else. I got clean 5 years ago and relapsed 5 months in. I was sick and tired of Suboxone. I feel like it took my sex drive away and didn't like the ups and downs that came along with it. I also felt numb. I decided I was going to switch from subs to Sublocade 2 months ago. I wanted to do just 1 shot and never go back. I can deal with minor withdrawals. After one month, I had minor withdrawals. I haven't gone back for my second shot. What I can tell you is that it was a very easy switch. After a month and a half, I got my sex drive back and I can feel again. I poop like a normal person now. I know this drug stays in your system for a while, but for me, it's been great. I'd recommend it to anyone who can't get off subs."

• Sod...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2019

"I just got my first shot today. I have been on Suboxone sublingual meds for around 4 years now. The injection was kind of painful for just a minute, but all went away before I left the doctor's office. So far, I feel fine, it has already taken a lot off my mind not having to worry about taking medicine tomorrow. If you are worried about the pain of the injection, don't let that hold you back."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2022

"I've been an opiate addict for 20 years now. After 5 years on Suboxone, I was looking for a new solution. I ended up going with Sublocade. I had two 300 mg injections and one 100 mg. It's been 2 months now since my last injection, and I'm still feeling great. The only side effects I had while on the injection were tiredness and constipation. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who is ready to be sober."

• Cry...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2018

"I have been on 8 mg Suboxone for 12 months and transitioned to Sublocade 300 mg, 4 days ago. I think my Dr. messed up the shot as I was his first Sublocade patient. I have a blister on the site where it was injected, I don't think he put the needle in far enough. Anyway, aside from that, the shot has worked as intended. The first day I felt normal after, I was instructed to take my dose before the shot, but I only took 4 mg. I feel great 4 days later, my second day I felt a little WD, but not much. Day 3 and 4 have been totally normal so far. I hope the blister heals and hope my experience is better than some on this thread. I'll update at week 2."

• Kim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2019

"It's been under 24 hours since my first Sublocade injection. I am very pleased so far. I was on 16 mg of Suboxone daily, but it wasn't absorbing into my system. My levels were always at or below 70. I felt horrible. So after suffering, since I got off the opiates, for the zillionth time, I was desperate for something to help me feel better. So far, I feel a huge difference. I'm very pleasantly surprised. So far, but as far as the first 24 hours on it... huge improvement in how I feel."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2020

"I've been on Suboxone for 3 years. I started out on 16 mg and weaned down to 3 mg a day (I took 1.5 2 mg strips a day). I started out on 100 mg Sublocade. I had my first injection yesterday. The medication did burn going in and about 20-30 seconds after. The injection site was sore yesterday, but it is fine today. I feel good, but I have had chills (unsure if it's related to the Sublocade or if I'm coming down with something). It has been strange not waking up and taking anything, but it's also nice. I will update later on in the month when it's time for my next injection, but so far, so good."

• Kas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2018

"I just received my first Sublocade shot on Tuesday at 12:40. I had been on Suboxone for 4 years and would a lot of times run out of my prescription early because I would always think one more to feel better, just one more. Of course, the only thing it might have done is give me energy for a little while, but since receiving the shot, I have to admit I'm not too impressed. Of course, at this time my head could still be messing with me because I am having issues with the part of taking something every day, but I'm very, very tired with no energy, so I feel like rubbish and I'm still having some hot flashes. I'm hoping it will get better and it will work because I want this to work, but as of now, I'd say the Suboxone strips are a lot better. But I will keep posting updates because I looked and looked for reviews before switching and couldn't find any, so I'd like to help people with my story."

• Meo...
• December 9, 2019

"This medication only works well for people taking low doses. If you are taking more than 8 mg, you will be in withdrawal. I was taking 16 mg a day, and within 3 days of getting my first shot, I knew immediately what was happening, as I have been through various forms of opiate withdrawals in my life. I called my doctor and begged to be put back on the sublingual medication, which he did, thank the goddess for that! Word of advice: if you are taking more than 8 mg per day, you will not do very well with this. If you are taking 8 mg or less, you will benefit. Please don’t get the idea that Sublocade is some kind of stepping stone for stopping Suboxone, as I’ve unfortunately seen in so many of these comments. Sublocade is Suboxone. It literally releases bup into your bloodstream slowly, every hour of every day. Stopping Sublocade is exactly the same thing as stopping Suboxone, and I can tell you from my experience, it will take a solid month of agonizing withdrawals to be done."

• Tre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2018

"Just awful. I was taking 16 mg of generic buprenorphine a day and decided to try this out because I was sick of having to take my meds twice a day. Days 1-3 were okay, but starting day 4, I noticed that the cravings were back and I felt way more tired. Day 5, I was in full withdrawal. I ended up going back to the doctor and he put me back on my original dose. Be advised that this works very well for some and is a complete disaster for others."

• Ner...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2023

"I have had a nightmare experience with this medication from the start and stayed on it for months longer than I should have. I had an opiate addiction and have been clean on Suboxone maintenance for over 10 years. I wanted to not be a slave to this medication and these doctors, so I jumped at the chance to try this new medication that had so many positive reviews. The 300 mg injection made me so overwhelmingly nauseous I had to take off from work the day I got the injection. For about a week, everything was okay withdrawal-wise, but mentally my motivation was completely gone. Then the profuse sweating of my hands and feet, as well as crippling anxiety. So I went from being stable and content to a blubbery, crying, depressed mess. Once I went to 100 mg, I was supplementing it with 2 mg of subs on week one, then 6 on week three and 8 on week four, so now what’s the point of the injection? I’m almost taking as much as I was originally, which was 12 mg. Long story short, I’m getting off the injection, thank God."

• Jak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 14, 2021

"I just got my first injection last week. We started off at 100 mg with intentions of weaning myself off within a few months. I have been on oral Subutex for almost 3 years. I have been EXTREMELY tired, to the point that every time I lay down with my daughter, I am fighting sleep or passing out. This includes nap time before 1 pm and bedtime at 8 pm. Did anyone else experience this? If so, does it go away? What shall I do?"