Sublocade

Of the nearly 9.4 million adults in the United States who needed opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment as of 2022, only an estimated 55.2 percent received treatment. In that same year, an estimated 81,806 people died from an overdose involving opioids.

Substance use disorders (SUD) can impact every part of an individual’s health, going beyond their physical and mental health to affect their relationships, their jobs or schooling, and their day-to-day lives. However, navigating the complexities and challenges associated with addiction and recovery can be difficult.

As a result, comprehensive approaches that treat the whole person, including the symptoms and causes of their substance use disorder, are an essential part of recovery. Approaches like medication-assisted treatment can be highly effective for many individuals, helping them to achieve lasting healing from substance abuse.

Below, learn more about medication-assisted treatment and its impact on substance use disorder care, as well as the role of medications like Sublocade.

What is Medication-Assisted Treatment?

Medication-assisted treatment is a professional approach to substance use disorders combining carefully monitored medications with therapy and counseling. MAT addresses the symptoms of addiction, helping reduce their severity and making it easier for individuals to focus on receiving the treatment and care they need.

There are several medications that can be used in medication-assisted treatment. This approach is tailored to the individual, with healthcare providers choosing the right medication for their medical history and type of substance use disorder.

Medication-assisted treatment is not a standalone treatment approach. While it focuses on the symptoms of addiction, it is not as effective in treating the underlying causes of substance use disorder. This can include factors such as genetics, environment, and trauma.

Instead, treatment plans incorporating MAT also include psychotherapies, counseling, and other holistic approaches depending on the individual’s needs. Although medication-assisted treatment can be a beneficial step in achieving lasting recovery, it may not be the best approach for everyone.

What Is Sublocade?

Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2017, Sublocade is an injectable form of buprenorphine taken monthly and provided only by a healthcare provider. At the time of its approval, Sublocade was the first approved monthly injectable buprenorphine medication.

Buprenorphine, the active ingredient in Sublocade, is a medication for opioid use disorder available by prescription only. While the brand-name Sublocade is only available as an injection, buprenorphine itself can come in many forms.

How Does Buprenorphine Work?

Buprenorphine is a type of medication known as partial opioid agonist. It works by interrupting and displacing opioids in the body, reducing their ability to interact with the brain.

When an individual uses opioids, both synthetic and natural, they bind to special proteins on nerve cells known as opioid receptors. This sends signals to the brain, which can produce the euphoric feeling of opioids that makes them addictive.

Buprenorphine works by binding to these same receptors. This displaces opioids, preventing them from binding to and activating the opioid receptors. When buprenorphine binds to these receptors, it doesn’t activate them to the same degree as opioids do. As a result, when used in medication-assisted treatment, buprenorphine can make it easier for those with opioid use disorder to focus on their treatment by reducing the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

It’s important to note that different people have different responses to buprenorphine. Although this medication can be helpful when used as prescribed, it may not be the right treatment approach for everyone.

What Is Sublocade Used To Treat?

Sublocade is a prescription medication used to treat opioid use disorder in adults. It can be used as a treatment for moderate-to-severe cases of addiction.

Medications used in MAT like Sublocade or buprenorphine are only a part of the process for recovery from a substance use disorder like OUD. Not only will patients require additional therapeutic services, including behavioral therapy and counseling but also a healthy support network.

How Is Sublocade Administered?

As of now, Sublocade is only available as an injection through a healthcare professional. Rather than having a prescription for tablets or films to take at home like some other MAT medications, individuals will need to visit their doctor each month to receive their injection.

Regular injections can be more flexible for some patients, especially since Sublocade is administered every month. Because it is an extended-release form of buprenorphine, patients will receive their shot and the medication will slowly be released over the course of the next few weeks. This keeps individuals from needing to take a tablet or film every day for their medication-assisted treatment with Sublocade.

In-office requirements can also provide individuals with children or pets peace of mind, as they won’t need to worry about bringing this medication into their home.

Although Sublocade is only available as a monthly injection, the main ingredient itself can be found in various forms. Outside of its use in Sublocade, buprenorphine is also available as a tablet and film.

What Are The Side Effects Of Sublocade?

Medications can affect people in different ways, and the same is true for Sublocade and buprenorphine. Although medication-assisted treatment with Sublocade can offer a variety of benefits for those seeking SUD care, some individuals may experience side effects.

The severity of buprenorphine side effects can vary, and not everyone who takes a medication with this ingredient may experience these side effects. However, some of the most common buprenorphine can include those such as:

• Nausea or upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Muscle aches and stiffness
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Trouble with concentrating or focusing

In rarer cases, some individuals may experience severe side effects as a result of taking buprenorphine. These can include allergic reactions, swelling, or itching.

If you notice any side effects while taking buprenorphine as a part of medication-assisted treatment, it may be best to reach out to your healthcare provider. Your doctor can better assess your symptoms in the context of your medical history and may be able to provide you with advice or treatment alternatives if needed.

MAT and Sublocade Frequently Asked Questions

Navigating substance use disorders and opioid addiction can be daunting, but you don’t have to go through it alone. For those seeking lasting health and recovery, help is available.

If you and your healthcare provider believe medication-assisted treatment is the best approach for you, understanding the specifications of MAT with Sublocade is essential. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about MAT and Sublocade.

Is There A Danger Of Addiction With Sublocade?

According to Sublocade, because this medication contains buprenorphine, there is a risk for addiction. One 2015 study noted that, despite the benefits medication-assisted treatment may offer, there is a risk of misuse.

Because buprenorphine binds to receptors the same way opioids do, it can create similar feelings such as pain relief or euphoria. However, buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, and its effects are weaker than commonly abused opioids.

As a result, when taken as prescribed, buprenorphine can be a safe and effective treatment, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

If you have any questions or concerns about starting a new medication, it’s best to discuss this with your healthcare provider. Your doctor can provide information aligned with your unique situation and provide clarity for any questions regarding buprenorphine for medication-assisted treatment or other medications.

How Long Does Treatment With Sublocade Last?

The exact length of medication-assisted treatment with Sublocade depends on several different factors, and it can vary from individual to individual. For some, treatment might take several weeks, while others may need care for several months.

Some of the factors that may dictate how long an individual requires treatment include:

• The severity of opioid use disorder
• How long the individual has had opioid use disorder
• Other co-existing mental or physical health conditions
• How the individual responds to the medication and treatment

No two people experience the struggles of addiction the same way. As a result, treatments should be individualized and tailored to the patient to meet their unique needs and preferences. Regular communication with their healthcare provider can provide individuals with more information about the duration of their specific treatment plan.

Does Insurance Cover Sublocade Treatment?

If you or a loved one are looking into medicated-assisted treatment with Sublocade, you may have questions or concerns about the financial aspects of this approach.

Overall, whether or not MAT with Sublocade is covered under insurance depends on the company and healthcare plan. While many insurances may cover this treatment, some may not. Others may provide only partial coverage. If you have questions about what treatments are covered under your current healthcare plan, reaching out directly to a representative at your insurance can provide you with more information.

Individuals may also be able to speak with their doctors about options for paying for treatment, especially those without insurance. Some areas may have government or private programs available for medical expenses. Your healthcare provider may also be able to provide you with alternative treatment options for MAT if it is not an option.