From the Research
The Sublocade 100 mg monthly injection is approximately equivalent to 8-10 mg of daily oral Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone). This equivalence is based on the most recent and highest quality study available, which suggests that Sublocade 100 mg delivers a steady-state level of buprenorphine in the bloodstream that provides similar opioid receptor coverage to this daily Suboxone dose 1. When patients transition from daily Suboxone to monthly Sublocade injections, doctors typically recommend they be stabilized on 8-24 mg of daily Suboxone before making the switch. The 100 mg Sublocade dose is generally considered the maintenance dose after patients have been initiated on the 300 mg dose for the first two months. This steady release helps eliminate the peaks and valleys in medication levels that can occur with daily dosing, potentially providing more consistent opioid receptor coverage and reducing cravings.
Some key points to consider when transitioning patients from daily Suboxone to monthly Sublocade injections include:
- Stabilizing patients on 8-24 mg of daily Suboxone before making the switch
- Initiating patients on the 300 mg Sublocade dose for the first two months
- Using the 100 mg Sublocade dose as the maintenance dose
- Monitoring patients for potential side effects and adjusting the dose as needed
It's also important to note that individual variability in response to buprenorphine may be influenced by pharmacogenomic factors, such as genetic variations in the mu-opioid receptor and CYP enzymes 2. However, further research is needed to fully understand the impact of these factors on buprenorphine treatment outcomes.
Overall, the use of Sublocade 100 mg monthly injections can provide a convenient and effective treatment option for patients with opioid use disorder, and can help to reduce the risks associated with daily dosing and potential misuse.