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Compare Sublocade vs. Suboxone

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Sublocade (buprenorphine) and Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) are both used to treat opioid dependence, but they have some key differences. Sublocade is an injection given once a month by a healthcare provider, while Suboxone is a film or tablet that you dissolve in your mouth daily. Sublocade is only for people who have already been stabilized on another form of buprenorphine, whereas Suboxone can be used as initial treatment for those dependent on short-acting opioids. Sublocade is brand name only, but Suboxone is available in a lower-cost generic form. Sublocade works by slowly releasing medication over a month, while Suboxone combines buprenorphine with naloxone to prevent misuse. Both medications can cause side effects like headache and constipation, but Sublocade also has risks related to its injection site.

drug combination

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  • Sublocade (buprenorphine)
    Suboxone tablets (buprenorphine / naloxone)
  • Sublocade (buprenorphine)
    Suboxone tablets (buprenorphine / naloxone)

  • Summary of Sublocade vs. Suboxone

    Summary for Opioid partial agonist
    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.

    Summary for Opioid partial agonist / Opioid antagonist
    Prescription only

    Suboxone tablets (buprenorphine / naloxone) are used for the maintenance treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) in adults. This medication-assisted treatment is given along with counseling and social and emotional support. It contains two active ingredients: buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, and naloxone is an opioid antagonist. The tablets are taken sublingually once per day (they're placed under the tongue where they dissolve). The dosage depends on each person's situation. Side effects include headache, pain, and nausea. It's a controlled substance because it has a risk of being addictive and being misused. <br> Note: The Suboxone brand name for the sublingual tablets is discontinued, but there are generic versions available. Buprenorphine/naloxone sublingual tablets are also available under the brand name Zubsolv.

  • Indications of Sublocade vs. Suboxone

    Indications for
    •Moderate-to-severe opioid use disorder in adults who've already started treatment with a buprenorphine-containing medication
    Indications for
    •Maintenance treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) in adults (together with counseling and therapy)

  • Pros and Cons of Sublocade vs. Suboxone

    Pros and Const for Opioid partial agonist
    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
    Pros and Const for Opioid partial agonist / Opioid antagonist
    Pros
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    •Comes as a tablet that's dissolved under the tongue
    •Causes milder withdrawal symptoms than other common opioids if stopped suddenly
    Cons
    •Can cause bothersome side effects, such as headache, trouble sleeping, and nausea
    •Has a risk for misuse and dependency
    •Is a controlled substance, so there are special requirements for filling a prescription

  • Common Side Effects of Sublocade vs. Suboxone

    Common Side Effects for
    •Injection-site reactions (pain, itching, redness, bruising, swelling; 14-19%)
    •Headache (9%)
    •Constipation (8-9%)
    •Nausea (8-9%)
    •Vomiting (6-9%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (36%)
    •Withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, goosebumps, stomach discomfort, irritability, cold sweat, joint pain, and watery eyes (25%)
    •General pain (22%)
    •Nausea (15%)
    •Sweating (14%)
    •Trouble sleeping (14%)
    •Constipation (12%)
    •Stomach pain (11%)

  • Warnings of Sublocade vs. Suboxone

    Common Side Effects for
    •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)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Potential for addiction and misuse
    •Potentially life-threatening slowed breathing (respiratory depression)
    •Risk for opioid overdose
    •Difficulty concentrating and extreme sleepiness
    •Harm to newborn babies
    •Low adrenal hormone levels
    •Withdrawal symptoms
    •Liver damage
    •Dental problems
    •Life-threatening heart rhythm problem (QT prolongation)
    •Low blood pressure
    •Not for use for pain or for people who haven't taken opioids before

  • Prices with our coupons for Sublocade vs. Suboxone

    Learn more about Sublocade
    Learn more about Suboxone tablets

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