How long does Sublocade last?
Sublocade is an injection that is given once a month. This means a single injection will last at least a month (28 to 30 days).
The package insert also states the following:
- A minimum of 26 days must elapse between Sublocade doses. This means you can’t get the injection more often than every 26 days
- Occasional delays in dosing of up to two weeks are not expected to have a significant impact on how effective your treatment is. This means that if your scheduled injection is given up to 2 weeks late (or up to 44 days after your last injection) it is unlikely that your withdrawal symptoms or cravings will return because the injection was given late
- If you are still experiencing withdrawal symptoms or cravings despite Sublocade use, then you should talk with your doctor because your dosage may need increasing (rather than increasing the frequency of your injections)
- If you are planning on traveling, and you are unable to see your usual doctor for your Sublocade injection, then a single 300mg dose may be given to cover a two-month period. However, you may experience more side effects (such as sedation) with this dosing schedule
- The terminal half-life of Sublocade injection is 43 to 60 days. Generally, it takes four to five half lives for a drug to be totally eliminated from the body. In most people, no trace of Sublocade would be found after 172 to 300 days.
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
What are the different brands of buprenorphine?
It is available in a number of dosage forms under the brand names Sublocade, Brixadi, Probuphine (discontinued), Belbuca, Butrans, Buprenex, and Subutex (discontinued). Continue reading
Is buprenorphine an opiate / narcotic?
Buprenorphine is classified as an opioid partial agonist and is considered a narcotic, but It activates the mu-opioid receptor to a lesser extent than the full opioid agonists (for example: oxycodone, methadone or morphine). It's used at higher doses for opioid use disorder (opioid dependence) while generally at lower doses to treat moderate to severe pain. Continue reading
What is the difference between Sublocade and Brixadi?
Sublocade and Brixadi are both subcutaneous long-acting buprenorphine injections that may be used for the maintenance treatment of opioid misuse disorder in adults. Sublocade was approved on November 30, 2017, and Brixadi was approved on May 23, 2023. Sublocade is administered once a month, with a minimum of 26 days between doses. If extended travel is deemed necessary, a single 300mg injection may be given to cover 2 months. Brixadi is given once a week or once a month. Continue reading
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Drug information
- Sublocade Information for Consumers
- Sublocade prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Sublocade (detailed)
- Sublocade user reviews (307)
Related support groups
- Sublocade (20 questions, 41 members)