Brixadi Dosing: A Step-By-Step Treatment Overview

Brixadi is used to treat moderate to severe opioid use disorders.1 Being administered in a clinical setting makes adherence to the treatment plan easy, provides steady withdrawal symptom relief, and has minimal risk of abuse. Whether you want to switch buprenorphine medication or initiate treatment, here is everything you need to know about Brixadi dosing.

Can’t remember to take your buccal buprenorphine doses daily? Brixadi (Injectable Buprenorphine) is available at ChoicePoint. Call 844.445.2565 to learn when you can start treatment and if you’re ready for it.

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Brixadi Dosing Schedule 

Before beginning Brixadi dosing, you must first take a test dose of generic buprenorphine as a sublingual tablet. If you are not currently taking buprenorphine. This enables your physician to modify your Brixadi regimen as necessary to effectively handle any withdrawal symptoms. During the first week of treatment, your doctor will gradually raise the dosage of Brixadi.

Before digging deeper into the Brixadi dosing schedule, here is a precise Brixadi dosing chart:

Brixadi Dose When You Take It For the First Time

For individuals who are not currently undergoing buprenorphine treatment, the suggested weekly dose is 24 mg of Brixadi, which should be titrated up throughout the first week of treatment as follows²:

1. Mild to moderate withdrawal: A test dose of 4 mg of transmucosal buprenorphine to prevent triggering an opioid withdrawal syndrome.
2. 1st Dose: Brixadi 16 mg, if the transmucosal buprenorphine dose is tolerated without causing an abrupt withdrawal.
3. Weekly Dose: To reach the suggested 24 mg Brixadi maintenance dose, doctors give an extra 8 mg within 3 days following the initial dose.
4. Extra Dose: Depending on the needs of the patient, an extra 8 mg of Brixadi during the first week of treatment, waiting at least 24 hours after the prior injection, for a total weekly dose of 32 mg. 
5. Maximum Dose: 32 mg is the maximum weekly dose.

Based on the total weekly dose determined following the first week, practitioners administer further injections. 

People Who Have Been On Buprenorphine 

1. Monthly Dose: If you have been taking a buprenorphine tablet at a steady dose for a while, you can be prescribed monthly injections of Brixadi. 
2. Maintenance Dose: 96 mg per month is the typical maintenance dosage. 
3. Maximum Dose: The maximum dosage is 128 mg per month. 

Related Blog: Brixadi’s Sublingual Alternatives 

How Long Does it Take for Brixadi to Start Working?

Brixadi takes effect right after getting the dose. As it releases buprenorphine slowly into the system, the buprenorphine levels peak 24 hours later.3 Due to the same reason, it has a lower chance of precipitated withdrawal.

3 Factors That Affect Brixadi Dosage

Your prescription Brixadi injection dosage may vary depending on a number of factors. Among them are:

1. The nature of chronic opioid use 
2. If there is a condition that makes Brixadi use dangerous
3. Other drugs you may be taking

4 Tips for Taking Brixadi Doses Efficiently

1. Mark the Dates: Scheduling the times of your consultations to discuss how your medication is progressing and ensuring that you don’t miss any Brixadi shot.
2. Avoid Missing Doses: Missed doses have the potential to cause symptoms of opioid withdrawal, including diarrhea, cramping in the stomach, and muscle soreness.
3. Don’t Squeeze Down the Bump: You may notice a lump at the injection site. This firm gel will gradually release the drug over time, and the lump disappears on its own. 
4. Know About Brixadi Administration: The buttocks, thighs, stomach, and upper arms are among the body parts that are Brixadi injection sites. These sites are selected and rotated by the provider after discussing with the patient.4

7 Risks and Warnings for Brixadi Dosing

If you plan to take a Brixadi shot, give attention to these factors: 

1. Pregnancy: Long-term exposure to Brixadi doses may cause Neonatal withdrawal syndrome in newborns.5
2. Be Careful If You Have Experienced Head Trauma: Buprenorphine may increase the pressure of fluids inside your brain. Notify your doctor immediately if you have a head injury while taking Brixadi.
3. Decline in Adrenal Hormone Levels: Taking Brixadi for over a month may lead to lethargy, nausea, dizziness, and weakness due to a drop in hormonal levels. However, it is uncommon
4. Risk of Withdrawal: Quitting all of a sudden may cause opioid withdrawal symptoms.
5. Dangerous for Existing Liver Impairment: People who have hepatic impairment are usually not suitable candidates for Brixadi.6
6. Not for People Without a History of Opioid Use: If you aren’t on opioids, the healthcare provider won’t generally prescribe Brixadi.
7. Slow Breathing: One of the most risky Brixadi side effects is respiratory depression, which can happen at doses given by the doctor.

ChoicePoint Brixadi doctors near you in NJ are readily available for you in any case of administering the Brixadi injection. All you have to do is make a call and directly get connected to our clinical staff. 

CALL NOW FOR FREE SCREENING

Importance of Clinical Supervision For Brixadi Dosing

Throughout the recovery procedure, periodic assessment from a doctor is compulsory due to the reasons stated below:

1. Treatment Evaluation

When taking Brixadi, the condition of the patient has to be evaluated continuously with each dose, depending on the severity of OUD.

2. Examination of the Brixadi Injection Site

The medical practitioner looks for infection or signs of tampering on the depot released from a shot.

3. Discontinuation of Brixadi Injection

When the patient decides to quit Brixadi, the signs of withdrawal have to be monitored by the doctors to avoid complications. Due to a lengthy half-life, Brixadi withdrawal symptoms may appear two to five months after the last injection.

Accessing the Brixadi Treatment Program at ChoicePoint

ChoicePoint offers Buprenorphine MAT to help you treat opioid use disorder effectively. Our addiction specialists in NJ will guide you through the best form of Buprenorphine to add to your OUD recovery plan. Whether it’s Brixadi, Sublocade, or Suboxone, our insurance-covered rehab makes treatment accessible and affordable for you.

Get your Brixadi injection shot at our rehab in Fairlawn NJ, or discuss further queries with our clinical staff at 844.445.2565 or enter your information here.

Common Questions on Taking Brixadi Doses

Find the answers to Brixadi medication use here:

1. When does Brixadi wear off?

The Brixadi doses wear off in a week to a month. It slowly releases at a steady rate, which keeps you stable till the next dose.

2. How long does it take the 64 mg Brixadi shot to leave your system?

One shot of 64 mg Brixadi may take almost a month to leave your system.

3. Tried Brixadi for one week and was still using it. Wondering if I even got high or if it was psychological?

Brixadi does cause euphoria or a high, like other opioid medications. 

4. What should I know before starting Brixadi treatment for opioid addiction?

Brixadi is a more titratable medication for OUD. Simply, it is easy to adjust its dosages. For those who can’t keep up with daily dosing, it is a safe and effective treatment option.

References 

1. Lintzeris N, Dunlop AJ. Buvidal/Brixadi – a long-acting injectable buprenorphine formulation for the treatment of opioid dependence. Pain Management. 2025 Sep 2;1–14.
2. Knopf A. FDA approves Brixadi, new buprenorphine treatment option. Alcoholism & drug abuse weekly/Alcoholism & drug abuse week. 2023 Jun 2;35(22):8–8.
3. Lurie D, San M, Health F, Behavioral N, Services H. [cited 2025 Nov 26]. Available from: https://media.api.sf.gov/documents/SFDPH_DTI_5.20.25.pdf#
4. HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION [Internet]. Available from:
   https://www.brixadi.com/pdfs/brixadi-prescribing-information.pdf
5. CDC. About Opioid Use During Pregnancy [Internet]. Opioid Use During Pregnancy. 2024. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/opioid-use-during-pregnancy/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/opioids/basics.html
6. Blair HA. Buprenorphine extended-release injection (Brixadi®) in the management of opioid use disorder: a profile of its use in the USA. Drugs & Therapy Perspectives. 2024 Mar 15;