Sublocade Vs. Suboxone: Efficacy, Administration, and Prescribing Information

Sublocade Vs. Suboxone is an important debate when it comes to choosing the best opioid addiction treatment medication. With Buprenorphine as an active ingredient, both Sublocade and Suboxone work wonders for opioid use disorder recovery.

But where lies the difference? Suboxone is a daily pill, whereas Sublocade is once a month injection. Sublocade is more suited to clients who prefer monthly injections over daily pills. But there is more! Read on to find the dose, mechanism of action, and associated side effects with both these medications to help you make an informed decision.

Get your Sublocade and Suboxone prescription from DEA-certified doctors at ChoicePoint a Fairlawn rehab in NJ. Call 844.445.2565 to schedule an appointment!

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Sublocade Vs. Suboxone: An In-depth Analysis 

Both Sublocade and Suboxone are FDA-approved medications for opioid addiction treatment.  They are prescribed to help patients cope with drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms. However, they have different formulations and makeup, so they can not be used interchangeably. Your doctor will either recommend Suboxone or Sublocade treatment. 

 Let’s analyze all the perimeters in more detail to paint a clear picture of both these medicines. 

a. Active Ingredient and Mechanism of Action of Suboxone and Sublocade 

Suboxone has Buprenorphine and Naloxone as active ingredients.

• Buprenorphine works as an opioid antagonist to reduce withdrawal symptoms 
• Naloxone prevents the risk of misuse and opioid overdose by blocking the effects of opioids.

Sublocade does not have Naloxone. It only has Buprenorphine as an active ingredient. Patients are often recommended to get Narcan (Naloxone), an over-the-counter nasal spray to keep with them in the case of opioid overdose. 

b. Suboxone Vs. Sublocade: Route of Administration

Suboxone is a sublingual film. It is placed under the tongue and then dissolves completely. Whereas Sublocade is an abdominal subcutaneous injection, it is administered in the fatty tissues under the skin. 

• Sublocade is administered just under the skin.
• It is injected as a liquid, but the active ingredient, Buprenorphine, changes to gel form (depot) after administration.
• The gel from Buprenorphine is released slowly into the body over one month.

You should always get your Sublocade shot from a licensed and trained practitioner. If administered incorrectly or administered into the vein, buprenorphine solidification can cause blockage. 

c. Dose of Sublocade Vs. Suboxone: Which is Stronger?

Suboxone orange pill is available in four different strengths:

• 2 mg Buprenorphine/0.5 mg Naloxone
• 4 mg Buprenorphine / 1 mg Nalxone
• 8 mg Buprenorphine / 2 mg Naloxone
• 12 mg Buprenorphine/ 3 mg Naloxone

Sublocade is available in 100 mg and 300 mg strengths. The recommended maintenance dose for Suboxone is usually 16 mg/4 mg daily, whereas Sublocade is 100 mg per both. 

Since both are different formulations, one medication is not preferred over the other in terms of strength. They both work as effectively for opioid addiction. Your doctor decides the preferred medication after keeping in mind several factors such as:

• Allergies to Naloxone
• History of relapse
• History of prescription drug abuse
• Severity of addiction

Book an online consultation with a DEA-certified doctor in NJ today to discuss your concerns regarding Sublocade and Suboxone. 

Success Rate and Efficacy of Sublocade Vs. Suboxone

There are several scientific data available that support the effectiveness of both suboxone and Sublocade.

Suboxone Success Rate 

The success rate of suboxone is more than 50%. That means more than half of the patients who take this treatment benefit from it. There are a ton of other factors that come into play when calculating the success rate. But, one thing is established by the scientific evidence that Suboxone is safe to use, both long term and short term.

1. A group of scientists investigated the one-year efficacy of Buprenorphine, such as Suboxone, in combination with psychological therapy. The clinical trial was performed on 40 individuals. The treatment retention rate at the end of the year was 75%, compared to 0 % in the placebo group. The study concluded that medication-assisted treatment is safe and highly effective.
2.  Evidence suggests medications help reduce the frequency of opioid use during the earliest stages of recovery  (first 3 to 6 months). Furthermore, it also helps a person stay away from but also over the 3-5 years after receiving the medication for the first time.

Sublocade Sucess Rate 

Sublocade is approved by the FDA after conducting several clinical trials. The findings of these trials are:

1. Sublocade patients are 14 times more likely to achieve treatment success
2. Another study reports that 75% of patients receiving Sublocade injections were able to abstain from using opioids during a one-year follow-up.

Opioid Treatment With Sublocade and Suboxone in New Jersey

Suboxone Vs. Sublocade: Which Is Safe To Use During Pregnancy 

Suboxone is generally safe to use during pregnancy. The current evidence does not support an increased risk of major malformation due to Buprenorphine treatment. However, Sublocade injections are not recommended during pregnancy. It is a newer formulation, and only limited studies are available for its use during pregnancy or in breastfeeding mothers. 

Prescribing Information 

Both Sublocade and Suboxone are prescription-only medications. These are prescribed by doctors and healthcare professionals with valid DEA licenses. While online Suboxone prescriptions and take-home tablets are available for Suboxone, Sublocade prescriptions are not dispensed directly to the patient. An individual can only get Sublocade administered by a certified doctor. 

Suboxone and Sublocade Withdrawal and Side Effects

Both Sublocade and Suboxone do not have serious side effects. However, if you take opioids or alcohol with Suboxone or Sublocade, then there is a severe risk of opioid overdose. 

As for withdrawal symptoms, there are minimum to no withdrawal symptoms associated with Sublocade use. This is because extended-released Buprenorphine stays in the system for much longer. However, when discontinuing Suboxone, a person may feel withdrawal symptoms. Suboxone has to be taken off under professional supervision to deal with Suboxone withdrawal symptoms safely. 

Insurance Coverage and Cost Analysis 

Many government and commercial insurance cover both Suboxone and Sublocade. ChoicePoint accepts the following insurance for Sublocade and Suboxone coverage:

1. New Jersey Optum health insurance
2. BCBS of NJ
3. Aetna health insurance NJ
4. Cigna NJ
5. Amerigroup NJ
6. Medicaid / NJ FamilyCare 
7. Medicare 

As for the cost, Suboxone is relatively less expensive than Sublocade. Suboxone is a brand-name medication. Generic Buprenorphine/Naloxone is also available at a comparatively reduced cost. For Sublocade, there are no generic alternatives, which makes it a bit expensive, but insurance like BCBS covers Sublocade for fewer out-of-pocket expenses. ChoicePoint Suboxone doctors accept Medicaid and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Call 844.445.2565 to get your prescription today!

Sublocade Vs. Suboxone: What Is A Better Option for You?

Now that you have full information on both drugs, the question of the hour is which medication you should use. Both medications are excellent treatments for opioid addiction. You can choose the one recommended by your doctor or the one that best fits your budget and schedule. For example, if you are an expecting mother, Suboxone may be a better choice for you. But if you are looking for a medication that causes less withdrawal and can be tapered off easily, Sublocade may be the best option for you. You can discuss the advantages and side effects of both medications with your doctor to conclude.

We have summarized the advantages of both medications below:

Get Your Sublocade and Suboxone Prescription From Licensed Doctors in NJ

Sublocade and Suboxone are both available at ChoicePoint, a leading alcohol and drug rehab in New Jersey. Our suboxone doctors provide telehealth services to dispense hassle-free prescriptions. 

Our insurance-covered Sublocade shots are also administered by licensed doctors with utmost care. 

You can connect with us by:

1. Calling 844.445.2565
2. Request a callback
3. Verify your insurance online 

Our NJ suboxone doctors and Sublocade doctors can help you with the following:

1. Prescribing custom dose 
2. Getting started with medications
3. Dose adjustments
4. Helping you deal with any side effects 

Take the first step towards a sober life by calling 844.445.2565.

Free Addiction Assessment

Please note this assessment is an initial self-screening, and it is not meant to be a medical assessment or clinical diagnosis of addiction. For proper diagnosis and treatment, schedule an appointment with ChoicePoint.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sublocade and Suboxone 

We often get these questions related to Suboxone and Sublocade

1. How To Switch From Suboxone To Sublocade

Since Buprenorphine is the active ingredient in both medications, switching from Suboxone to Sublocade is easy.

1. Schedule an appointment with your addiction doctor
2. If you are currently not using any medication, you will be recommended Suboxone for at least a week.
3. Then you will get your Sublocade shot.
4. Your doctor will guide you in monitoring and reporting any associated side effects.

2. What is Better, Suboxone or Sublocade?

Both medications are excellent for opioid addiction treatment. The best medication for you is decided after reviewing your diagnosis and medical history.

If you think that Suboxone or Sublocade is a better choice for you, you can discuss it with your doctor and get your preferred medication. 

3. Is Zubsolv Better Than Suboxone?

Zubsolve is the closest alternative to Suboxone. Both have Buprenorphine and Naloxone as active ingredients/ Zubsolv is more bio-available and dissolves quicker, but it has a bitter taste. So, it all depends on your preference.

4. Which Other Alternatives of Suboxone Are Available?

Other alternatives to Suboxone are:

1. Brixadi
2. Sublocade
3. Subutex
4. Generic Buprenorphine

If you want to switch from Bureophine treatment, then Naltrexone is also an FDA-approved medication for opioid use disorder.

5. Can You Take Sublocade and Suboxone Together? 

No, you can not take Sublocade and Suboxone together. It may result in an overdose. 

Sources

1. Ling W. (2012). Buprenorphine implant for opioid addiction. Pain management, 2(4), 345–350. https://doi.org/10.2217/pmt.12.26
2. Kakko, J., Svanborg, K. D., Kreek, M. J., & Heilig, M. (2003). 1-year retention and social function after buprenorphine-assisted relapse prevention treatment for heroin dependence: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet (London, England), 361(9358), 662–668. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(03)12600-1
3. Clinical Review Report: Buprenorphine extended-release injection (Sublocade): (Indivior Canada, Ltd.): Indication: For the management of moderate-to-severe opioid use disorder in adult patients who have been inducted and clinically stabilized on a buprenorphine-containing product [Internet]. Ottawa (ON): Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2019 Jul. Results. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546462/
4. Prescribing Information | SUBLOCADE® (buprenorphine extended-release) injection for subcutaneous use, CIII. (n.d.). Sublocade. Retrieved November 15, 2024, from https://www.sublocade.com/Content/pdf/prescribing-information.pdf