How is Sublocade administered?

Sublocade (buprenorphine) is given by a health care provider once a month by subcutaneous (under the skin) injection in the abdominal (stomach) region (with at least 26 days between doses). Your doctor will order this medicine for you, and you will receive it a clinic or doctor's office.

Sublocade is only available through a restricted program called the Sublocade REMS Program due to risk of harm or death due to intravenous (IV) self-administration. You will receive more information about this program from your doctor.

Sublocade (buprenorphine), from Indivior, is an extended-release, once-monthly injection for opioid use disorder (OUD). It is used in adult patients already on a stable dose of transmucosal (absorbed via mucus membrane) buprenorphine for a minimum of 7 days. Sublocade may reduce the burden of taking daily medication for patients in recovery.

Sublocade changes to a solid "depot" form after the injection. Your medicine will slowly release from this depot. You may feel a small bump under your skin after you receive the injection. Do not try to remove the depot, rub or massage the area where injected. Do not let belts or waistbands rub against the injection site.

What is the dose of Sublocade?

Sublocade is available in a prefilled syringe as a 100 mg per 0.5 mL or 300 mg per 1.5 mL strength of buprenorphine.

The recommended dose of Sublocade following stabilization with transmucosal buprenorphine is 300 mg monthly for the first two months followed by a maintenance dose of 100 mg monthly.

Your doctor may choose to increase the maintenance dose to 300 mg monthly if you tolerate the 100 mg dose, but do not have an acceptable clinical response, as shown by self-reported use of opioids or positive opioid urine drug screens.

If you miss a dose, contact your doctor as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.

For more information see our slideshow Opioid Use Disorder: These Treatments Are Available, Now

This is not all the information you need to know about Sublocade (buprenorphine) for safe and effective use. Review the full Sublocade information here, and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.