Sublocade 

 

Generic name: buprenorphine injection 
Name of the brand: Sublocade

 

What is Sublocade?

Sublocade (buprenorphine) is an opioid medicine, also known as an opioid.

Sublocade injections are utilized for treating addiction to opioids. It’s not recommended for pain relief.

Sublocade is a medication for people who are undergoing treatment for addiction using buprenorphine in the form of an oral tablet that is placed on either the tongue or within the cheek (such as Suboxone or Subutex).¶

Warnings

Sublocade is only available in a healthcare facility that is certified through a specific program. It is not possible to take this medication for yourself.

This guide to medication provides details on this Sublocade version of the buprenorphine injectable. Buprenex is a different kind of buprenorphine that is used to treat severe to moderate pain.

Before you start taking this medicine, make sure to consult your doctor

You shouldn’t take Sublocade when you have an allergy to buprenorphine. You won’t be able to receive Sublocade unless you’ve taken oral buprenorphine for at least seven days consecutively.

To ensure that Sublocade is safe for you, inform your physician if you’ve ever experienced:

• breathing issue sleep apnea, breathing problems
• A head injury or brain tumor
• Mental illness, alcoholism;
• Prostate enlargement and urinary issues;
• kidney or liver disease;
• an irregular heartbeat (especially in the event that you take medications for it);
• Long QT syndrome (in the case of you as well as a member of your family);
• An electrolyte imbalance (such such as low levels of magnesium or potassium within your blood);
• spinal curvature that influences breathing
• Addison’s Disease (adrenal gland disease) also known as
• issues with your gallbladder, or thyroid.

If you continue using opioid medicines (oxycodone, Fentanyl, morphine, and many others) during pregnancy, your child may be born with potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms and require medical attention for a few weeks.

Talk to your doctor prior to taking Sublocade in case you are nursing. Tell your doctor when you experience severe sleepiness or slow breathing during breastfeeding babies.

Sublocade has not been approved to be used by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How Sublocade is taken?

Sublocade is injected beneath the skin at least once a month. Your healthcare professional will administer the injection. Do not inject yourself with this drug.

Sublocade should not be injected into veins or muscles. It is a medicine that is meant to be injected only beneath the skin. Sublocade is a solid mass when it comes in contact with bodily fluids like blood. Injecting this medication into a muscle or vein could cause injury on the skin, or the underlying tissues, and also blood clots that may be transported to the lungs and lead to death.

After each injection, it is possible that you might notice or feel an insignificant lump under your skin near where the medicine was administered. It could last for several weeks, however, the lump should gradually shrink. Avoid massaging or rubbing on the lump or wearing tight clothes on the region.

A minimum of 26 days must be between each injection of Sublocade.

Sublocade is only one component of a full treatment program that could also include counseling or other forms of support for addiction. Inform your physician if you think that this medication isn’t helping you improve your signs of addiction.

You’ll require frequent blood tests to monitor your liver’s functioning.

Inform your doctor if you are scheduled to undergo a procedure.

Any healthcare professional who cares for you must be aware that you are being treated for an addiction to opioids and you are taking Sublocade. Make sure your family members are aware of how to relay this information should they need to contact you in an emergency.

Don’t stop taking Sublocade at once or you could experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Discuss with your doctor the best way to effectively stop using the medicine.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Opiate Dependence – Maintenance:

Extended Release Subcutaneous Injection (Sublocade) after at least 7 days of treatment using transmucosal products that deliver an equivalent amount of 8-24 mg buprenorphine a day:
Initial dosage 300 mg subcutaneously twice per month for 2 months
Dose for maintenance 100 mg subcutaneously, once every month
The maintenance dose can get increased up to 300 mg per month in patients who tolerate a lower dose and have a less acceptable clinical reaction, e.g. self-reported opioid abuse and positive urine drug screenings

Comments:
-Initiating therapy with subcutaneous injections has not been studied; subcutaneous injections should only be initiated following induction and dose-adjustment with a transmucosal buprenorphine-containing product.
Monthly doses should allow at least a period of 26 days before treatment. sometimes, dosing delays that last up to two weeks are unlikely to cause a significant clinical influence on the effect of treatment.

if don’t take the dose?

Contact your doctor for advice in the event that you don’t make the appointment for an injection of Sublocade.

If I take too much?

Get medical attention immediately or contact for help at the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

A fatal overdose could be fatal, particularly in the case of a child or someone who is taking opioid medicine that is not prescribed. Overdose symptoms may include severe drowsiness and numbness of pupils, a slow breathing rate, or the inability to breathe.

In a medical environment, an overdose could be immediately treated.

The doctor might suggest getting Naloxone (a medication to treat an overdose of opioids) and carrying it in your pocket always in case you experience a relapse or continue taking opioids. Someone who cares for you could administer medication naloxone in case you cease breathing or don’t feel like waking up. Your caregiver needs to get emergency medical attention and might need to administer CPR (cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) on your behalf while waiting for assistance to arrive.

You can purchase naloxone at the local pharmacy or health department. Be sure that anyone who cares for you is aware of the location where you keep your naloxone and how to utilize it.

What should I be aware of when taking Sublocade?

Avoid driving or engaging in hazardous activities until you understand what Sublocade can affect your body. Drowsiness or dizziness can lead to accidents, falls, or serious injuries.

Avoid drinking alcohol. Dangerous side effects or even death could happen.

Do not use any opioid pain medication without the approval of your doctor prescribing Sublocade. Opioid pain medicine is not as effective while you’re taking Sublocade. Consult your physician about other options to relieve pain when you’re using Sublocade.

Sublocade side effects

See a doctor immediately If you exhibit symptoms for an allergy reaction Sublocade such as itching, hives; extreme dizziness, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, or tongue.

Opioid medicines can reduce or stop your breathing and even cause death. The person who is caring for you must administer Naloxone or seek medical attention if you experience prolonged breathing, pauses in your breathing blue-colored lips, or if you find it difficult to get up.

Consult your physician immediately in the event that you are suffering from:

• breath that is shallow or weak or shallow breathing, breathing that stops when you sleeping;
• severe dizziness or extreme drowsiness loss of coordination
• Itching, pain, redness, or skin changes in the area the injection was administered;
• A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you’re passing out;
• The withdrawal symptoms of opioids include shivering, goose bumps, sweating more sensation of cold or hot and runny eyes, watery nose, vomiting, diarrhea;
• issues with the liver, such as a loss of appetite, abdominal pain, dark urine jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin) as well as
• Low cortisol level, nausea, vomiting fatigue, loss of appetite fatigue, or worsening.

Get medical attention now if you are experiencing symptoms of serotonin syndrome for example hallucinations, agitation sweating, fever, and shivering. You may also experience a rapid heart rate stiffness of muscles or twitching. Also, you may experience loss of coordination nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Risky side effects are more common in older people.

Common Sublocade side effects can be:

• fatigue;
• nausea, vomiting, constipation;
• itching, pain, or a lump in the area where itching, pain or a lump where the medication was administered
• headaches migraine
• abnormal tests of liver function.

This isn’t a complete list of possible side effects, and other effects may also be present. Contact your physician to seek medical advice on adverse effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other medications can impact Sublocade?

There are times when it’s not recommended to take certain medications simultaneously. Certain drugs may affect the blood sugar levels and the levels of other medications you take, which could create side effects or render your medications less efficient. Inform your doctor if are using an antibiotic or medications to treat seizures, antifungal medicines, or medication to treat HIV or Hepatitis C.

Other drugs may be harmful when combined in conjunction with opioids. Tell your doctor when you are using:

• Medicine for asthma, allergies motion sickness, blood pressure, and irritable bowel syndrome, as well as an overactive bladder.
• other opioid drugs;
• A benzodiazepine-based sedative, such as Valium, Klonopin, or Xanax;
• sleep medication and muscle relaxers and other drugs that can make you sleepy as well as
• medications that alter serotonin levels like antidepressants, stimulants, or medicines for Parkinson’s disease or migraines.