Medication Management Section
Treatment for Opioid Addiction.
What is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a brand name prescription medication used to treat opioid use disorder. It is used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to help people reduce or quit their use of heroin or other opiates, such as pain relievers like morphine, if used as directed. It contains a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. The buprenorphine is an opioid medication, but it eases cravings by not providing the same intense highs as other opiates.
Naloxone blocks the effects of opioid medication, discouraging misuse and minimizing the risk of overdose.
IMPORTANT, SAFETY OF THIS MEDICATION
Suboxone Medication
Suboxone is a medication containing buprenorphine and naloxone, combined in a single tablet. Buprenorphine — which has been used successfully as a treatment for heroin addiction — works by acting on the brain’s opiate receptors to relieve withdrawal and cravings without prompting the same intense high or dangerous side effects as other opioids.
Combined with Naloxone
When combined with naloxone, buprenorphine’s abuse potential is further limited because people who try to inject it experience severe withdrawal symptoms.
However, when Suboxone is taken orally, as prescribed, these adverse effects do not occur.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Suboxone causes a mild sense of euphoria, calm and general well-being. There can be a perceived lack of worries and lower stress. Taking an increased amount of Suboxone in a short period, or when it is not being used to treat opioid addiction can cause sleepiness, confusion, nausea and respiratory depression.
What is Sublocade?
SUBLOCADE™ (buprenorphine extended-release): The first once-monthly buprenorphine injection designed to deliver therapeutic plasma concentrations for the treatment of moderate to severe opioid use disorder (OUD). SUBLOCADE should be used as part of a complete treatment plan that includes counseling and psychosocial support. SUBLOCADE contains buprenorphine, a Schedule III controlled substance that can be abused in a manner similar to other opioids.
IMPORTANT, SAFETY OF THIS MEDICATION
Indication
SUBLOCADE™ (buprenorphine extended-release) injection, for subcutaneous use (CIII) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderate to severe addiction (dependence) to opioid drugs (prescription or illegal) who have received an oral transmucosal (used under the tongue or inside the cheek) buprenorphine-containing medicine at a dose that controls withdrawal symptoms for at least 7 days. SUBLOCADE is part of a complete treatment plan that should include counseling.
SUBLOCADE REMS Program
Because of the serious risk of potential harm or death from self-injecting SUBLOCADE into a vein (intravenously), it is only available through a restricted program.
Your SUBLOCADE injection will only be given to you by a certified healthcare provider.
Do not use SUBLOCADE
If you are allergic to buprenorphine or any ingredient in the prefilled syringe (ATRIGEL® Delivery System, a biodegradable 50:50 poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) polymer and a biocompatible solvent, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)).