Sublocade vs. Brixadi for Opioid Dependence: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Sublocade

(buprenorphine)

Brixadi

(buprenorphine)

Summary for Sublocade

Prescription only

Sublocade (buprenorphine) is an injection that's given under the skin by a healthcare provider for moderate-to-severe opioid use disorder. Treatment is given along with counseling and social and emotional support. This medication is convenient because you only need a dosage once a month. But it's only for people who've previously used another form of buprenorphine (e.g., Suboxone, buprenorphine (Subutex)). Side effects of Sublocade (buprenorphine) include headache, constipation, and injection-site reactions (e.g., pain, swelling). This medication is brand name only.

Indications for Sublocade

Moderate-to-severe opioid use disorder in adults who've already started treatment with a buprenorphine-containing medication

Pros and Cons for Sublocade

Pros

Works well to treat moderate-to-severe opioid use disorder
Given just once per month
Injections are given only by trained healthcare providers registered with the Sublocade REMS program to make sure it's as safe for you as possible

Cons

Given as an injection under the skin
Need to go to the provider's office or clinic regularly to get injections
Has serious risks like slow breathing

Common Side Effects for Sublocade

Injection-site reactions (pain, itching, redness, bruising, swelling; 14-19%)
Headache (9%)
Constipation (8-9%)
Nausea (8-9%)
Vomiting (6-9%)

Warnings for Sublocade

Not for intravenous (IV) administration
Risk for addiction and misuse
Dangerously slow breathing (respiratory depression)
Harm to newborns
Low adrenal hormone levels
Risk of withdrawal symptoms
Liver damage
Risks with treatment for pain
Not for use in people who haven't taken opioids before
Life-threatening heart rhythm problems (QT prolongation)

Summary for Brixadi

Prescription only

Brixadi (buprenorphine) is an injection given under the skin by a healthcare professional for moderate to severe opioid use disorder. It's typically given along with counseling, as well as social and emotional support. Brixadi (buprenorphine) is conveniently given once per week or once per month, but it's only for people who've previously tolerated another form of buprenorphine (e.g., buprenorphine (Zubsolv) film or buprenorphine (Subutex)). Some side effects of Brixadi (buprenorphine) include injection site reactions (e.g., pain or swelling), headache, and constipation.

Indications for Brixadi

Moderate to severe opioid use disorder in adults who've already started treatment with a buprenorphine-containing medication.

Pros and Cons for Brixadi

Pros

Works well to treat moderate to severe opioid use disorder
Given once per week or once per month
Only trained healthcare providers who are registered with the REMS program can give you Brixadi (buprenorphine), to make sure this medication is as safe for you as possible

Cons

Injection only
Needs to go to the provider's office regularly to receive injection
Has a lot of potential risks and side effects, such as breathing problems and sleepiness