When was the Probuphine implant discontinued?
Probuphine implant was discontinued by Titan Pharmaceuticals in October 2020 and no generic is available in the US. In former 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.
Contact the manufacturer for more information at 1-650-244-4990.
Other long-acting buprenorphine products for opioid use disorder exist in different dosage forms:
- Sublocade is an extended-release, once-monthly depot injection currently available from Indivior.
- Brixadi, from Braeburn, has been tentatively approved by the FDA, but is not yet available on the market. Brixadi is a long-acting, extended-release buprenorphine injection given either weekly or monthly for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD).
In May 2016 the FDA approved Probuphine (buprenorphine) implant for the maintenance treatment of opioid dependence. Probuphine consisted of four, one-inch-long rods that were implanted under the skin in the upper arm to provide a constant, low-level dose of buprenorphine for six months.
Probuphine was used as part of a complete opioid dependence treatment program including counseling and psychosocial support. Buprenorphine is classified as a opioid partial agonist.
Advantages to buprenorphine intradermal implants were a longer duration of action and improved patient compliance because there was 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.
References
- Braeburn Receives Complete Response Letter for the NDA for Brixadi (buprenorphine) Extended-Release Subcutaneous Injection for Moderate to Severe Opioid Use Disorder. Press release. Accessed April 16, 2021 at https://braeburnrx.com/braeburn-receives-complete-response-letter-for-the-nda-for-brixadi-buprenorphine-extended-release-subcutaneous-injection-for-moderate-to-severe-opioid-use-disorder/
- Titan to discontinue US sales of opioid addiction implant in restructuring. Press release. Accessed April 16, 2021 at https://www.titanpharm.com/contact
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
Is Probuphine better than Sublocade?
Probuphine and Sublocade are long-acting forms of buprenorphine, but the Probuphine brand has been discontinued in the United States. There is no evidence that one was better than the other. They were both used in long-term medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD). Continue reading
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Drug information
- Probuphine Information for Consumers
- Probuphine prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Probuphine (detailed)
- Probuphine user reviews (3)
Related support groups
- Probuphine (5 questions, 5 members)
- Opiate Dependence (150 questions, 2,362 members)