How long does the Probuphine implant last?

Probuphine consists of four, one-inch-long rods that are implanted under the skin in the upper arm and provide a constant, low-level dose of buprenorphine for six months.

In May 2016 the FDA approved Probuphine, the first buprenorphine implant for the maintenance treatment of opioid dependence. Probuphine is for use as part of a complete opioid dependence treatment program including counseling and psychosocial support. Buprenorphine is classified as a opioid partial agonist.

In studies, roughly two-thirds of Probuphine-treated patients had no evidence of illicit opioid use throughout the six months of treatment – similar to the number of those who responded to sublingual (under the tongue) buprenorphine alone.

Some advantages to buprenorphine intradermal implants is a longer duration of action and improved patient compliance because there is no need to remember to take a daily medicine. In addition, other dose forms of buprenorphine, such sublingual pills or buccal films may be lost, forgotten or stolen.

Probuphine implants should only be inserted and removed by a health care provider who is trained and certified through a restricted program called the Probuphine Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program.

Contact Titan Pharmaceuticals for more information at 1-650-244-4990.