Sublocade vs Suboxone - What's the difference between them?
Both Sublocade and Suboxone contain buprenorphine, a medication that can help people beat opioid addiction by minimizing withdrawal symptoms and easing cravings. But there are differences between them, such as:
- Sublocade contains only buprenorphine. Suboxone contains both buprenorphine and naloxone (naloxone helps protect people from an inadvertent opioid overdose)
- Sublocade is an injection and Suboxone is a film that you put under your tongue
- Sublocade is given once a month and Suboxone is taken as a single-dose daily
- Sublocade needs to be injected by a health care professional under the skin (subcutaneously) but Suboxone can be given either by a health care professional or taken home for at-home use
- Subclocade was approved in 2017 and Suboxone has been available since 2002.
Suboxone can be initiated early by a doctor as part of an opioid treatment program. Sublocade can only be given to people who have already been on Suboxone or who have had at least one dose of transmucosal buprenorphine and a one-hour observation period to confirm tolerability.
Sublocade may reduce the burden of taking daily medication for patients in recovery, as well as hinder diversion or abuse of oral buprenorphine.
References
- Sublocade Injection. https://www.drugs.com/sublocade.html
- Sublocade FDA Approval History. https://www.drugs.com/history/sublocade.html
- Sublocade Package Insert. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/209819s031lbl.pdf
Read next
How long does Suboxone stay in your system?
The effects of Suboxone last for 24 hours. After one dose of Suboxone, no trace of the drug would be expected to be found after 5 to 8 days in healthy people, or 7 to 14 days in those with severe liver disease. Continue reading
How long does Suboxone block opiates?
Suboxone blocks the effects of full opioids (such as heroin, fentanyl, or morphine) for at least 24 hours, in some people, the effects may last up to 60 hours. Continue reading
Does Suboxone show up on a drug test?
Suboxone will only show up on a drug test if the panel specifically tests for buprenorphine or its metabolites, or for naloxone. Suboxone will not cause false positives for other opioids. Continue reading
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