Sublocade is a long-acting injectable (LAI) formulation of suboxone. It is administered subcutaneously in the abdomen. Sublocade is FDA-indicated to treat moderate to severe opioid use disorder in patients who have initiated treatment with buprenorphine-containing product, followed by dose adjustment for a minimum of 7 days . It can be given monthly, a minimum of 26 days must be between doses.
Sublocade (Suboxone) | |
Indication(s) | Treatment of moderate to severe opioid use disorder in patients who have initiated treatment with buprenorphine-containing product, followed by dose adjustment for a minimum of 7 days. |
Dosing available as prefilled syringes | 100 mg/0.5 mL and 300 mg/1.5 mL |
Needle Size and Gauge | 19 gauge – 5/8 inches |
Recommended starting and maintenance dose for ititiation fo treamtment following induction | 300mg for the first 2 months and then 100mg monthly maintenance doses |
Transition of patients established on long-term treatment with transmucosal buprenorphine | Patients established on long-term treatment with transmucosal burprenorphine (8-24 mg/day) and whose disease symptoms are controlled may be directly transitioned to Sublocade. See table below for dosing. |
Dosing exclusions | N/A |
Loading dose | 300mg for first 2 months to load |
Oral overlap | Not required |
Storage | Refrigerated. Discard SUBLOCADE if left at room temperature for longer than 12 weeks. |
Reconstitution or mixing | Remove Sublocade from the refrigerator prior to administration. Allow the product to come to room temperature (~15 minutes). Remove the foil pouch and safety needle from the carton. Open the pouch and remove the syringe. Remove the cap from the syringe and the safety needle supplied in the carton. Gently twist the needle clockwise until it is tight and firmly attached. Hold the syringe upright for several seconds to allow air bubbles to rise. Remove needle cover and slowly depress the plunger to push out the excess air from the syringe. If medication is seen at the needle tip, pull back slightly on the plunger to prevent medication spillage. |
Injection site | Subcutaneous injection in the abdomen |
Injection interval | Every 4 weeks, a minimum of 26 days between doses |
Administration considerations | For abdominal subcutaneous injection only. Do not inject intravenously, intramuscularly, or intradermally |
Timing variations | If needed an allowance for a 2-month interval possible - administer a single 300 mg dose to cover a two-month period then resume with 100 mg monthly |
When a dose is missed | If a dose is missed, the next dose should be administered as soon as possible. |
REMS | Yes - www.SublocadeREMS.com |
Transition of Patients Established on Long-Term Treatment with Transmucosal Buprenorphine to Sublocade in whose Disease Symptoms are Controlled | |
Oral Dose | LAI Dose |
8 - 18 mg/day | 1st dose: 300 mg |
20 - 24 mg/day | 1st dose: 300 mg 2nd dose: 300 mg Maintenance dose: 100 mg |
Reference: Reference: Sublocade package insert (Indivior Inc.) 2023. | |
FDA medication label
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