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Opioid abuse has become much more common throughout the U.S., with 2020 recording a staggering 68,630 opioid-related overdose deaths. In light of these numbers, new treatment methods are being developed to help combat these drug abuse concerns.
Medication-assisted treatment, for one, has become more popular due to its general accessibility and affordability, compared to other levels of care. Suboxone and Sublocade are two medications that have become more popularly used to help treat opioid use disorders.
Keep reading to learn more about Sublocade vs Suboxone, the differences between these medications, their side effects, and whether these may be a good option for you if you are struggling with opioid addiction.
Suboxone and Sublocation are both separate formulations of Buprenorphine, which is a partial opioid agonist that is commonly used for treating individuals who are struggling with an opioid use disorder (OUD).
Suboxone is usually taken daily in the form of a tablet that can be placed under the tongue, where it will dissolve. Sublocade, on the other hand, is an injection medication and is only taken once monthly.
As similar medications, there are many core facts about how Suboxone and Sublocade are used to treat opioid dependence that may be helpful to know, including:
When treating opioid addiction, you will not be expected to use only Buprenorphine or its counterparts. There are many medications that are used to help manage opioid abuse, including methadone, Naltrexone, and, of course, Buprenorphine.
Buprenorphine can be taken through oral, intravenous, transdermal, sublingual, or buccal use. Oral Buprenorphine consumption is usually the most common, however. Both Buprenorphine and methadone, however, are harder to access on their own and, as opioid antagonists, can have their own adverse effects with long-term use.
Naltrexone is commonly used to combat addiction for its ability to block the euphoric effects of other opioids, making relapse less likely for recovering individuals. However, it is generally encouraged to wait at least seven days after stopping the use of other opioids before starting on Naltrexone in order to avoid a more difficult withdrawal period.
Suboxone is a daily medication taken as a sublingual film. Its main active ingredients are Buprenorphine and Naloxone, which are both used individually to treat opioid use disorder. It can be taken orally up to three times a day, depending on the user’s specific situation and medication needs.
Sublocade is a buprenorphine extended-release injection medication also used to treat OUDs. The patient themself does not inject the drug; this must be done by a licensed healthcare professional in a clinical setting.
Along with the positive drug effects this medication can have, its main advantage is that Sublocade injections only have to be administered once monthly and in a supervised environment.
This may be beneficial in the event of an allergic reaction or other negative reaction to this medication. Allergic reactions are not an uncommon side effect of certain drugs, and can quickly become a medical emergency that causes serious harm to the patient.
Buprenorphine is the main active drug in both Sublocade and Suboxone and, as it is technically an opioid itself, can be effective for managing early recovery from OUD.
While prescribing information will generally come with a warning that these brand-name drugs are partial opioids, they have yet to be found as habit-forming as their full opioid counterparts.
Both medications act on opiate receptors in the brain, which can be helpful for pain relief, as well as for OUD treatment. This is because they act on the same opioid receptors that other, more habit-forming opioids do.
This can reduce drug cravings and prevent withdrawal, which is usually the main cause of relapse for individuals who are in early recovery. This makes the recovery process easier and helps user’s overcome their substance abuse more comfortably.
The main difference between these medications is how often they are taken. Depending on your history with medications and preferred ease of access, Suboxone and Sublocade can both be convenient options for treating your OUD.
Suboxone is taken more frequently, usually one-three times daily. This may not be a good option for those who are more forgetful, and may easily skip over their prescribed dose on a busy or stressful day.
Sublocade, on the other hand, is a once-monthly injection. Receiving a Sublocade injection may be a better option for individuals who have busier day-to-day lives, and may not want to have to worry about the daily responsibility of taking medication.
How large of a dose each of these medications will be prescribed can also vastly differ. There are several different doses that may be prescribed with Suboxone depending on a patient’s symptoms and their severity. Generally, this will range from 2-24 mg daily.
Sublocade, on the other hand, will be administered in a higher dosage, as it is slow-releasing, and will disperse throughout the body over the course of a month.
Most people will start at 300 mg for the first two months they are receiving Sublocade injections, before decreasing to a 100 mg monthly maintenance dose. Those with more severe OUDs, however, may continue to receive 300 mg injections until their symptoms improve.
These two drugs, while similar in their ability to treat opioid addiction, will generally differ in how long-acting they are. Sublocade is an extended-release medication, meaning that it lasts much longer than its short-term counterpart.
Getting one shot a month of Sublocade can be much more convenient and effective when used correctly, compared to the more tedious process of having to take Suboxone every day, and sometimes even multiple times a day.
While Sublocade may seem more convenient as a once-a-month process, Suboxone is considered to be more accessible. This is because it is more readily available through pharmacies and is usually a less expensive alternative to Sublocade.
Furthermore, Sublocade will usually require special authorization for individuals to be able to use this medication, which may not be provided by their primary care doctor. Suboxone is also covered under most insurances, while Sublocade’s higher cost may make it more difficult to cover.
Suboxone has been around since 2002 and has a long-established approval rating with the FDA for treating addiction. Sublocade, on the other hand, did not receive this approval until 2017.
Of course, both partial opioid agonists have ultimately received this approval from the FDA, and have been recognized as being equally efficient for OUD treatment.
Because they are similar medications, these medications often have equally similar side effects. Knowing what to expect before taking them, however, can be helpful before starting treatment. The most common side effects associated with taking Suboxone include:
The most common side effects associated with taking Sublocade include:
Individuals who are struggling with opioid addiction have many treatment options available to them today. Addiction is a very personal disease, meaning every person going into rehab will usually have their own specific treatment plan in place to help them overcome their drug abuse.
When treating opioid abuse, it will usually be recommended that you start your recovery process with a medical detox program. These can help manage and even eliminate withdrawal symptoms and cravings during early recovery and can help you establish a solid foundation for maintaining long-term sobriety.
Once detox has been completed, you will likely be encouraged to move on to other levels of care, including inpatient and outpatient rehab programs, dual diagnosis treatment, and other aftercare services.
Many of these may even incorporate Sublocade and Suboxone treatment into their recovery approach. Overall, a whole-health approach to recovery will be recommended to help make sure you are addressing both your addiction itself, as well as the underlying causes of this behavior.
If you are unsure about whether you should be taking Sublocade or Suboxone, or have any other questions regarding the addiction treatment process, you can speak with a healthcare professional Rehabs Of Armerica specialists to get answers for all of your recovery questions today!
It is generally not recommended for individuals to combine Suboxone and Sublocade treatment, especially if they are being taken alongside other medications.
While there may be some circumstances where someone may receive Sublocade injections and still take Suboxone to help manage additional pain or other symptoms, this is not common and can cause other complications.
Yes, most health insurance companies will provide coverage for their client’s mental health or addiction treatment. This includes medication-assisted treatment, and you should be able to receive coverage for Sublocade or Suboxone if your doctor’s office has deemed it medically necessary.
How much your healthcare provider will cover will, of course, depend on your specific plan and benefits. If you are unsure what your insurance plan covers in terms of addiction treatment, you can speak with a Rehabs Of Armerica representative today or use our fast and free insurance verification tool to find out!
If you are seeking treatment for an opioid use disorder and need help finding services that are right for you, the Rehabs Of Armerica team can connect you with effective and affordable recovery programs nationwide!
Our hotline is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day to help answer all of your recovery questions, and get you started on your path to sobriety, whenever you are ready!
No matter what your circumstances may be, help is available! Call now, and we will get you started in your treatment process, today!
Charles F. has been an active part of the Florida recovery community for over 5 years. He began as a behavioral health technician at an addiction treatment facility in Ocala, Florida and has since begun training as a Licensed Addiction and Chemical Dependency counselor in Boca Raton. Charles’ passion involves the promotion of recovery and helping spread the hope of recovery to as many readers as possible!
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