Sublocade and Withdrawal: What Users Say

• Mar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 22, 2020

For Opioid Use Disorder "I’ve been on heroin, then methadone and finally Suboxone for nearly 2 decades. My dose has been one 8mg strip a day for several years. I had nasty withdrawals trying to lower my dose. I became resigned to a lifelong dependence on Suboxone. About 9 months ago, switched to Sublocade injection. Two months at 300mg, then four months of 100mg. I decided to discontinue the injections in early March. It’s now late June and I'm finally off Bupe. I have to say I had very little withdrawals. It almost seems too good to be true. All the lumps from the injections have finally disappeared, and I think I’m about 95% through it. Very, very easy kick compared to trying to wean down off Suboxone strips. I’ve been 3 1/2 months without an injection and I’ve achieved what I thought was impossible. I thought I would be hooked on Suboxone strips for the rest of my life."

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

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "So I was addicted to opiates for 4 years, taking them orally and crushing and snorting them. That's when I knew I needed help. I was losing everything and spending way too much money, I was basically working to get high. So I originally started with 8mg Suboxone 2 times a day, then 21mg once a day for six months. I was then offered the Sublocade shot. Initially, I was skeptical but ended up doing it and am glad I did. It did burn upon injection, and I was a little nauseous for a couple of days, but then fine. So I never went back for the second dose. Let me tell you why this worked for me, but you have to really want to not be dependent on another medication. My theory was it's slowly released into your bloodstream, so it will slowly leave as well. Yes, I did go through a little withdrawal with the hot/cold and sweating for like 2 days, but it was definitely nothing like withdrawal from the actual opiate itself. I am currently still clean and sober, loving my family, and life itself."

• Cas...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 2, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "I was part of the phase III trial of what is now called Sublocade. This shot literally saved my life. I was doing $300 of heroin IV every day for years. I went to rehab, tried Suboxone strips, weaning, etc., nothing worked. I took this shot at 300 mg for 14 months, and not only did I have no issues quitting, but I had no withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing the shot. I fully 100% recommend this medication to anyone suffering from opiate dependency. Please, don't hesitate. Try it if you're able."

• Cle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "The shot was not nearly as painful as I expected, and that night I definitely felt glowing and content. The day after, I was alright, but the next day and following days I had zero energy, watery eyes, painful legs, couldn't sleep like normal. I knew by getting the injection I wasn't getting the right dose or even nearly enough as I was on strips. I was so beside myself and angry I'd let the doctor talk me into the shot. It's too new, and not enough information online about it. I feel like a guinea pig! I finally talked the office into letting me come back in for supplemental strips. When I went in, he said I wasn't the only patient having withdrawals after switching. I feel duped and will be going back to strips for a while. It seems to me that Sublocade is more of a stepping stone to help patients get off Suboxone, but certainly not for those newly sober and wanting to just feel normal. I've been through such a hard time with this medication."

• red...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2025

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "This is an update. I did my first review 24 hours after receiving a 300 mg injection. I gave it the highest rating possible at the time. I’m happy to say I stand by that as of now, and it has been two weeks since receiving. Naturally, I have that hideous lump about the size of a grape under my skin. Nobody tells you how big, they just say a small lump, which is very subjective. I’ve had no redness, no itching, no pain unless I bump into it, then, it’s tender. I’ve had no withdrawal, no cravings, no side effects related to opiate use, or in comparison to Suboxone. The shot is much better for me because there’s not that roller coaster of up and down as your dose wears off. My plan is to receive this one and only shot and then be done with it all. I will review again at approximately six weeks. Good luck to all! Oh, I’m sorry, I did feel a little bit high for the first two or three days while my body adjusted, then it was just normal, kind of like the first time I took Suboxone."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2020

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I was on Suboxone for 4 or 5 years without even thinking of going back to heroin. However, occasionally I would take an extra or even two extra! I knew that it didn’t even do anything or get me high, but I did it anyway. When I heard of Sublocade, I thought to myself that this was my answer to finally not be dependent on the pills! The first couple of days I went through “withdrawal,” but I believe it was in my head. Then, a few months in (maybe 5), my friend asked me, “wouldn’t you be able to just stop getting it and it would slowly take you down?” and I was like, “uhhhh idk?” Lol, but I couldn’t stop wondering. One month I decided to stop getting it, and I could always go back if need be. That was in October or November of last year, and knock on wood, I’m still good... absolutely no withdrawal. I’ll update if it happens though."

• Mag...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 30, 2018

For Opioid Use Disorder "I did a study for the shot in 2016. After 7 years of injecting heroin, they accepted me and my fiancé in the study. It was like we hit the lottery. It took a few days for us to adjust to it, but when we did, it was amazing! It really helps with your dopamine levels and cravings. We took it for 13 months, and then we got off it. We didn’t have any withdrawal symptoms or pain at all following our last shot. I highly recommend it to any opiate users. It was the only way we quit using after seven years."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 2, 2019

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I finally got approval from my insurance for Sublocade, and I can't tell you the difference it's made. Sure, it hurts a tad, but only having to deal with one shot a month is totally worth it. I initially got my two 300 mg doses, and I think I've had four 100 mg doses. I'm going to try to make this my last one. There isn't much (if any) info on stopping Sublocade after a few months. Only what I've read on this forum, and all of those seem to be positive. Can anyone add to this? My doc is going to keep my next dose at the office and will squeeze me in if I start to have withdrawals later down the road, and my regular GP prescribed some low-dose Ativan in case the w/d's are mild. I'm nervous but so excited that for the first time in 10 years, I won't need any of this med!"

• War...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2020

For Opioid Use Disorder "After taking sublingual Suboxone for about a year (10 mg/day), I had my first injection of Sublocade two weeks ago, and the first day was great. In fact, I was a bit high. It's been a while! Day two, I was certainly not high, and dropping quickly. Day three, withdrawals had started. Fortunately, I had some leftover tablets to get me to the doctor. They didn't believe that the Sublocade injection wasn't working. I was told, 'your mind is playing tricks on you.' I was the very first person at my clinic to try it. The nurse had never administered it before. Perhaps that was a factor? The Sublocade website says a 300 mg shot is good for anyone (who was) taking Suboxone tablets from 8 to 24 mg/day. Excuse me?! That's a huge range! Idk.... I don't know why it didn't work for me, but I assure you: it did not."

• joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2020

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "Been trying to quit heroin and other opiates since I was 18 or so. Now I'm 32, and I've spent years on Suboxone with some success for periods, but eventually, I'd fall into selling them for pills or bags of dope or whatever else I wanted. Also, I don't want to be on this drug forever. Got my first injection about a month ago, it hurt, and after the initial 'high' wore off, I didn't feel great for about 2 weeks. Not bad, though, don't take that as I was dying or in withdrawal, just not as good as I was on strips. After that first 2 weeks, I started feeling normal, about to get my second injection soon, and I'm looking forward to the future and excited about both not having the option to screw this up by selling my script and the incredibly long life that seems to allow many people to stop without serious withdrawal symptoms. Maybe it's not for everyone, use your judgment, but I don't want to keep repeating the same cycle for me."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2023

For Opioid Use Disorder "Sublocade is a lifesaver. I wish more people knew about it. I've been struggling with a daily heavy opiate (IV heroin and fentanyl) addiction for 13 years. I was on Suboxone for 3 years and methadone for 6 years as well. I wanted to get off methadone and try Sublocade when I heard about it because I've tried getting off both Suboxone and methadone many times with no success - the withdrawal was too much. I was on 60 mg of methadone when I went to the doctor asking to switch. We did the Burmese Method (or slow micro-dosing Suboxone while fast taper of methadone) to switch me from methadone to Suboxone and then to Sublocade. The taper lasted 2 weeks, and by the end, I was on 12 mg of Suboxone and no methadone. I had no withdrawal. I stayed on Suboxone for 1 week then got 1 300 mg shot. I didn't have to supplement Suboxone. 6 weeks later, I got a second Sublocade shot. Now it has been 6 months since my 2 shots, and I have had absolutely no withdrawal symptoms. Even if my brain was looking for them - nothing."

• BKa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "I was on Suboxone for 10 years, and I weaned myself down to one 2 mg strip a day, and I just couldn’t kick it. I found out about Sublocade, and the 1st month I took a 300 mg injection, then the 2nd month I took 100 mg. The last shot I took was December 2018, and I’ve not had to take any Suboxone since my 1st shot of Sublocade. It’s now November 2019, and I’ve had no withdrawals whatsoever. The only problem I’m having is it still shows up on urine drug screens, and I have random tests. But other than that, it’s been great."

• hee...
• November 17, 2020

For Opioid Use Disorder "I was an addict for 17 years. I used opiates and coke. I got on Suboxone 7 years ago and have been clean for 5. But I was still on 4 mg of Suboxone. I got 1 Sublocade injection back in June. Afterwards, because of COVID, it was a pain going to the doctor. I really didn't like the injection, so I got a script of Suboxone. I decided to wait until I needed them. It has been almost 6 months, and I've been opiate and Suboxone-free. I've had minor withdrawals, but nothing I couldn't handle. It seems too good to be true, but it is. It worked for me so far, and I'm pretty sure one injection shot isn't gonna last this long. Anyway, hope you all the best."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 5, 2025

For Opioid Use Disorder "I was opiate dependent for eight years. I tried everything to get off of them with no luck. But I had the best Dr. working with me! Finally, she suggested Sublocade. I was on the shot about 2 years. Every time I would decide to go without it to see if I could finally be free from opiates, I would start having withdrawals. We tried again 7 months ago, this time I have been opiate free for the past 7 months! Not a single withdrawal symptom! I FINALLY HAVE MY LIFE BACK! Thank you, Sublocade, a true miracle drug for opiate dependency!"

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

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "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."

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

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "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...."

• Ppo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "So I just got on the shot about three weeks ago after being on two 8 mg Suboxone strips a day. And the first about 4 or 5 days, I just didn't feel right, like almost withdrawals but not as bad, but close. I like the shot that I don't have to worry about taking my subs every day. But it's three weeks later and I still feel kind of off, like I don't feel like I was when I was taking my Suboxone. And I've been experimenting with uppers lately. I don't know. Has anyone else felt this way at all?"

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

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "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

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "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."

• Jas...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 9, 2025

For Opioid Use Disorder "I had 10 years sober, unfortunately, I broke my back at the gym and was prescribed opiates for pain. Eight months of hell, and I was told about Sublocade. I started out on two months of 300 mg. Now I'm on the 100 mg and have received four shots of the 100 mg. I want to come off of it and was hoping someone that has come off it successfully? Also, if anyone had withdrawals. I feel like when I speak to doctors, they try to change my mind about coming off of it. If anyone out there truthfully has come off of it, please share your experience and let me know. Going to get one more 100 mg shot, and then I'd like to be off of it. Thank you."

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

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "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."

• Aus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2020

For Opioid Use Disorder "I was on 24 mg Suboxone and was told about Sublocade. It worked so well for a week, and then withdrawals came in. I'm now back on the strips. This didn't work for me, the dose needs to be higher than 300 mg because when you do the math, it's only really releasing 10 mg in a 24-hour period. Be wary of this. If you're on 16 mg or less, then it's a godsend, but unfortunately, anything above will not work."

• Mar...
• January 31, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "I am unsure about this shot. I have gotten it twice now and had to fight for the second injection. The first time I got it, I was only two in 5,000 people where the shot didn’t properly dissolve into my body, and I had extreme withdrawals after two days. They even did a urine and blood test, and my bup scores were 500 on the strips and down to 70 by the time they believed I was in withdrawal and put me back on to strips. I just got my second one by a different doctor after the doctors spoke to pharma and any other doctors about their opinions on me getting a second dose because I want off Suboxone. I’ve been stuck on it for 5 years and had two children during this time. I want to be free, and I experience insane withdrawal when I wean off of strips. So it’s day two, and I am getting some hot and cold sweats but feel a little more tired than last time, and I am not feeling as “sick” as last time. I am so hopeful! I will update this in 10 days! :)"

• Arc...
• February 25, 2019

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "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."

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

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "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."