What is injectable buprenorphine ER?
Buprenorphine extended release (ER) for injection is a monthly shot that helps people who have a problem with using strong painkillers or illegal drugs like oxycodone and heroin. These drugs relieve pain and make you feel good, but they are hard to quit. This is because they can cause bad withdrawal symptoms when you stop them like feeling very sick, having an upset stomach, anxiety, mood swings, and really wanting to use them again.
Buprenorphine ER can help people avoid these withdrawal symptoms when they want to stop using these drugs. There are two shots you can get that have buprenorphine ER in them: Sublocade® and Brixadi®.
How does injectable buprenorphine ER prevent opioid cravings?
Buprenorphine, the medicine in the injection, binds to the same areas in your body as heroin and oxycodone but works in a different way. It blocks these drugs from working in your body. It also helps prevent the withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit heroin and oxycodone. So, you’re less likely to want to use those drugs again when you’re trying to stop them.
What benefits does injectable buprenorphine ER have over other medicines for OUD?
Buprenorphine ER also comes in different forms like an oral film, a tablet for under your tongue, or a skin patch. With these forms, you need to remember to take them every day or change the patch every week.
There’s another medicine called methadone for Opioid Use Disorder, but you must go to a clinic every day to get it.
With injectable buprenorphine ER, you only need to get the shot once a month. You don’t have to worry about taking it every day or changing patches weekly. This might make it easier for people to stick to their treatment plan.
What can I expect while taking this medicine?
Buprenorphine ER is liquid when it’s injected, but it turns into a small bump once under your skin. The medicine is slowly released from this bump into your body over one month. The bump will get smaller as more medicine leaves it. Do not rub or touch the bump as you may interfere with the medicine’s slow release. Doing so may cause you to feel an increase in the side effects of this medicine.
The most common side effects include:
- feeling tired
- having a headache
- upset stomach
- throwing up
- constipation
- itching and pain where you got the injection
Where can I get this medicine?
Injecting buprenorphine ER in the wrong place can be really dangerous, even deadly. Only doctors with special training and a DEA number can give this injection, but they don’t need a special XDEA number anymore. This means more doctors can help.
To make sure it’s safe, you can only get this medicine from specialty pharmacies, not regular ones. These pharmacies take extra steps to make sure you get the medicine safely. The medicine is sent straight from the pharmacy to the doctor who gives you the shot.
If you are interested in this medicine, you can check Sublocade’s® website for a list of doctors who can help. Brixadi® does not yet have a patient resource for finding providers.
Philadelphia treatment centers able to give injectable buprenorphine ER:
- Stabilization Treatment and Engagement Program (STEP) – Prevention Point: 2913-2915 Kensington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134. (215) 634-5272
- Crossroads Treatment Centers – Several locations throughout Philadelphia: (800) 805-6989
References:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Learn about treatment: what to expect [Internet]. Rockville (MD). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; cited 2023 Oct 4. Available from: https://findtreatment.gov/what-to-expect/treatment
- Why Sublocade? [Internet]. Richmond (VA). Indivior UK Limited; 2023 [cited 2023 Oct 4]. Available from: https://www.sublocade.com/treatment-plan
- Braeburn Inc. Brixadi [Internet]. Plymouth Meeting (PA). Braeburn Inc.; 2023 [cited 2023 Oct 4]. Available from: https://www.brixadi.com/
Written by:
Maryjane Hammel
PharmD Candidate 2024
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
St. Joseph’s University