Sublocade Injections for Opioid Addiction Treatment
Sublocade is the brand name of the injectable form of extended-release buprenorphine that is used to treat opioid addiction. Doctors may prescribe a monthly Sublocade shot to help patients sustain abstinence. Like other medications for substance use disorder, Sublocade is most effective when used as part of a complete addiction treatment plan that includes counseling and psychological support.1
Keep reading to learn more about this medication and how to find effective opioid addiction treatment near you.
Understanding Sublocade: A Long-Acting MAT Option
Sublocade is an FDA-approved, extended-release (ER) buprenorphine injection that is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe opioid use disorder (OUD).1
Buprenorphine, the active ingredient in Sublocade, is an opioid addiction medication that is approved to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings and also inhibits the effects of other opioids, which can help prevent a return to opioid use or relapse.2
Research has shown that people who received treatment with Sublocade experienced a greater number of abstinence days compared to those who received a placebo.1
How Does Sublocade Work?
Sublocade is an addiction medication that works by steadily releasing buprenorphine over 1 month.2 Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, meaning it strongly attaches to opioid receptors without fully activating them and causing euphoria. This action reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings while preventing full opioid agonists like heroin from binding to these receptors, decreasing the risk of overdose.3
A Sublocade injection is administered subcutaneously (in the abdomen, buttock, thigh, or back of the upper arm) once a month to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.1
Unlike oral formulations of buprenorphine, Sublocade can be beneficial because people don’t have to remember to take the medication daily.2
A physician will determine the proper Sublocade injection dosage for a person’s needs, but most people receive two initial doses of 300 mg followed by a 100 mg monthly maintenance dose.1
Sublocade vs. Other Medications for Opioid Addiction
Sublocade is one of several FDA-approved medications used to treat OUD. Other medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) include:3
- Suboxone and other buprenorphine formulations.
- Methadone. Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist.
- Vivitrol (naltrexone).
- Naloxone.
While only a physician should determine which medication meets your needs, it may be helpful to know the key differences between the common MOUDs. Let’s compare and contrast other MOUD options with Sublocade.
Sublocade vs. Suboxone
Suboxone is taken as a daily sublingual film that contains a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, which is a powerful opioid antagonist.4 Just like in Sublocade, the buprenorphine in Suboxone reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Patients may also be prescribed buprenorphine and naloxone in daily tablet form, marketed under the brand name Zubsolv.5
Naloxone is a powerful opioid antagonist that can reverse an opioid overdose. It is the active ingredient in nasal spray devices like Narcan. The inclusion of naloxone in Suboxone and Zubsolv formulations acts as a misuse deterrent, which means that it can discourage people from injecting or otherwise using the medication in unintended ways.5
As it is intended for daily use, Suboxone requires that people be diligent about taking their medication each day; people who forget to take their daily dose may have an increased risk of relapse.5
Sublocade, as mentioned above, is a monthly injection, so people do not have to worry about taking their medication daily. It also does not contain naloxone. However, patients who’ve been given Sublocade are often prescribed naloxone as well to reduce the risk of fatal overdose.1
Sublocade vs. Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting full opioid agonist that is taken once a day in liquid (the most commonly used in OTPs), powder, or tablet form.3 As it is a full opioid agonist, it fully binds to and activates opioid receptors that are also activated by other opioids, such as heroin. Methadone’s binding action reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms and doesn’t allow other opioids to bind to the receptors. Because it is a long-acting opioid, it causes much less pleasurable and euphoric effects compared to short-acting opioids (e.g., heroin, fentanyl, prescription painkillers), and remains in the body longer. 6
Buprenorphine formulations can be dispensed by qualified and licensed providers, whereas methadone must be dispensed at methadone clinics/opioid treatment programs (OTPs).2,3
Unlike buprenorphine, methadone does not have a ceiling effect, so it has a higher potential for misuse, which could potentially lead to further harm or death.3
Sublocade vs. Vivitrol
Vivitrol is a brand name for injectable naltrexone. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, which means it blocks opioids from binding to receptors, reducing the effects of opioids and cravings, discouraging relapse in the process.6 Naltrexone is approved to treat both OUD and alcohol use disorder (AUD).6,7
Naltrexone for OUD may be used to mitigate cravings and prevent opioid effects, which can help people avoid a return to opioid use following medically supervised withdrawal.3,6 Research shows naltrexone can be as effective as buprenorphine when used over longer periods; however, it can be more difficult for people to start because it requires an abstinence period of 7-10 days.6
Like Sublocade, Vivitrol is prescribed as a monthly injection. However, treatment with Vivitrol typically only begins after a person has completely stopped using opioids and has undergone detoxification, because it may otherwise trigger or worsen withdrawal symptoms.6,7
Potential Side Effects of Sublocade
As with any medication, people can experience side effects from Sublocade.1 The most commonly reported Sublocade side effects include:1
- Constipation.
- Itching or pain at the injection site.
- Headache.
- Fatigue.
- Nausea.
- Increased liver enzymes.
- Vomiting.
Is Sublocade Covered By Insurance?
Yes, OUD medications like Sublocade are often covered by insurance. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 requires health insurers and group health plans to provide the same level of benefits for mental or substance use treatment and services that they do for medical or surgical care.8
However, as coverage can vary widely by plan, it’s wise to check your specific benefits with your insurer or quickly verify your insurance using our confidential online tool.
Find the Right Treatment for You
Medications for addiction treatment can be an important component of a comprehensive opioid addiction treatment plan. Research shows that people who receive these medications are less likely to die from overdose, less likely to engage in risky behaviors that lead to infectious disease, and have a reduced chance of other negative health outcomes.6
American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leading provider of OUD treatment, with rehabs located across the nation. You can learn more about the admissions process and view our treatment centers, or call our free, confidential helpline at to speak to a knowledgeable admissions navigator about your treatment options.
