What are Sublocade® and Brixadi™?
Sublocade® (buprenorphine extended-release) injection, for subcutaneous use, CIII, is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderate to severe opioid addiction (dependence) to opioid drugs (prescription or illegal). It is part of a complete treatment plan that should include counseling.
Brixadi™ (buprenorphine extended-release) injection, for subcutaneous use, is another prescription medicine used similarly to Sublocade® for treating opioid dependence in adults as part of a treatment program that includes counseling.
Both medications are used after receiving an oral transmucosal (under the tongue or inside the cheek) buprenorphine-containing medicine at a dose that controls withdrawal symptoms for at least 7 days.
Important Information About Sublocade® and Brixadi™
Do not take other opioid medicines, benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants while on Sublocade® or Brixadi™, as it can cause serious side effects, including severe drowsiness, respiratory depression, coma, or death.
Because of the risk of severe harm or death from injecting Sublocade® or Brixadi™ into a vein, both are only available through restricted programs (Sublocade® REMS Program or Brixadi™ Risk Management Program). These medications are not available in retail pharmacies and must be administered by certified healthcare providers.
Pregnancy Warning
Both Sublocade® and Brixadi™ have not been thoroughly studied in pregnant women. Therefore, it is not known if these medications are safe in pregnancy. Your healthcare provider will decide whether the benefits of treatment outweigh any potential risks to your unborn child.
Potential Side Effects / Risks
Like all medicines, Sublocade® and Brixadi™ can cause serious side effects, including allergic reactions such as hives, angioedema, or anaphylaxis. Local symptoms may include slight tenderness, itching, or swelling at the injection site. These reactions usually begin 6 to 12 hours after the injection and can persist for a few days. Immediate allergic reactions such as hives, angioedema, allergic asthma, or systemic anaphylaxis are rare.
In the case of a severe reaction such as high fever, behavioral changes, or flu-like symptoms, please contact your provider and head to the nearest emergency room.
Signs of an allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, hoarseness, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heartbeat, or dizziness within a few minutes to a few hours after the injection.