What Should You Know Before Starting Sublocade?
Living with opioid use disorder can affect nearly every part of life—your physical health, emotional well-being, relationships, work, and sense of independence.
But opioid use disorder is treatable, and recovery does not have to happen through willpower alone.
Medication for opioid use disorder can reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms and help create the stability needed to focus on recovery. One treatment option is SUBLOCADE®, a long-acting injectable form of buprenorphine.
If you are considering SUBLOCADE, understanding how it works, what to expect, and whether it may be appropriate for you can help you make an informed decision with your healthcare provider.
What Is Sublocade?
SUBLOCADE is an extended-release form of buprenorphine used as part of the treatment of moderate to severe opioid use disorder in adults.
Unlike buprenorphine medications that are taken under the tongue or inside the cheek each day, SUBLOCADE is given as an injection by a healthcare professional.
After the medication is injected under the skin, it forms a small depot that gradually releases buprenorphine into the body over time.
For many patients, one of the biggest advantages is freedom from taking medication every day.
SUBLOCADE is intended to be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes counseling and psychosocial support.
How Does Sublocade Work?
Opioids affect specific receptors in the brain. With repeated opioid use, the brain and body can become physically dependent, which can result in significant withdrawal symptoms and cravings when opioid use stops.
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist.
It binds strongly to opioid receptors and can:
Reduce opioid cravings
Help prevent withdrawal symptoms
Reduce the rewarding effects of other opioids
Provide more stable medication exposure over an extended period
SUBLOCADE delivers buprenorphine gradually rather than requiring a patient to remember a medication every day.
It is important to understand that SUBLOCADE is not simply replacing one addiction with another.
Buprenorphine is an evidence-based medication used to treat opioid use disorder. When appropriately prescribed and monitored, it can help reduce illicit opioid use and support long-term recovery.
Do You Have to Take Suboxone Before Starting Sublocade?
This is an important area where recommendations have changed.
Previously, patients were generally required to take transmucosal buprenorphine, such as Suboxone, for at least seven days before receiving SUBLOCADE.
That is no longer required for every patient.
If you are not currently taking buprenorphine, your healthcare provider may first give you a small dose of transmucosal buprenorphine to make sure you tolerate it. You will be monitored before receiving the SUBLOCADE injection.
Some appropriate patients may therefore be able to begin SUBLOCADE on the same day.
If you are already taking a stable dose of transmucosal buprenorphine, your provider may be able to transition you directly to SUBLOCADE.
The exact approach depends on your current opioid use, withdrawal symptoms, previous exposure to buprenorphine, medications, medical history, and clinical assessment.
Do not attempt to start buprenorphine or SUBLOCADE on your own. Starting buprenorphine at the wrong time after certain opioids can trigger precipitated withdrawal.
How Often Is Sublocade Given?
SUBLOCADE is a long-acting injection.
The usual treatment schedule begins with 300 mg for the first injection followed by another 300 mg injection. Depending on the patient's needs, the second injection may be administered as early as one week and up to one month after the first.
After the initial doses, the recommended maintenance dose for many patients is 100 mg monthly.
Some patients may require continued treatment with 300 mg based on their clinical response.
Your healthcare provider will determine the appropriate dose and schedule for you.
What Are the Benefits of a Long-Acting Injection?
For some patients, taking medication every day works very well.
For others, a monthly injectable treatment may offer important advantages.
SUBLOCADE may help reduce:
The need to remember daily medication
Frequent handling of buprenorphine tablets or films
Concerns about losing medication
Opportunities for medication diversion
Daily reminders associated with taking medication for opioid use disorder
A long-acting medication can also allow some patients to spend less time thinking about their medication and more time focusing on therapy, family, work, relationships, and rebuilding their lives.
However, SUBLOCADE is not automatically better than daily buprenorphine for every patient.
The best medication is the one that is safe, effective, and sustainable for the individual patient.
What Happens Before Your First Sublocade Injection?
Before starting treatment, your provider will complete an evaluation to determine whether SUBLOCADE is appropriate for you.
This may include reviewing:
Your current and previous opioid use
Previous treatment with buprenorphine
Withdrawal symptoms
Other medications
Alcohol or sedative use
Medical conditions
Liver health
Mental health history
Previous treatment experiences
Recovery goals
Your treatment team may also discuss overdose prevention and the importance of having naloxone available.
If you are not currently receiving buprenorphine, your provider may administer a test dose of transmucosal buprenorphine and monitor your response before proceeding with the injection.
Where Is Sublocade Injected?
SUBLOCADE is administered under the skin, not into a muscle or vein.
Current administration options include approved subcutaneous injection sites such as the:
Abdomen
Thigh
Buttock
Back of the upper arm
The injection site should be rotated.
After the injection, you may be able to feel a small lump or firm area under the skin. This is the medication depot and will gradually decrease in size as medication is released.
Do not rub, massage, or attempt to remove the depot.
Your healthcare provider will explain how to care for the injection site.
What Side Effects Can Occur?
Like all medications, SUBLOCADE can cause side effects.
Commonly reported adverse effects can include:
Injection-site pain or discomfort
Headache
Nausea
Constipation
Fatigue
Increased liver enzymes
Some injection-site redness, swelling, itching, or tenderness may also occur.
More serious risks are possible, which is why your provider should review your complete medical history and medications before treatment.
Buprenorphine can cause dangerous breathing problems, particularly when combined with alcohol, benzodiazepines, sedatives, or other medications or substances that suppress breathing.
Do not stop or change prescribed medications without discussing them with your treating clinicians. Instead, make sure your SUBLOCADE provider knows everything you take, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, supplements, alcohol, and other substances.
Why Is Sublocade Given Through a Special Program?
SUBLOCADE has specific safety requirements because injecting the medication directly into a vein can cause serious harm, including potentially life-threatening complications.
For this reason, SUBLOCADE is available through a restricted program called the SUBLOCADE REMS Program.
Patients do not take SUBLOCADE home and inject themselves.
The medication must be administered by a healthcare professional through a healthcare setting that follows the REMS requirements.
This safety system helps ensure the medication is stored, handled, and administered appropriately.
Is Sublocade Enough by Itself?
Medication can be an extremely important part of recovery—but medication is not the entire recovery plan.
Opioid use disorder may affect:
Mental health
Relationships
Employment
Family life
Sleep
Physical health
Trauma
Self-esteem
Financial stability
Daily routines
For many patients, the strongest treatment plan combines medication with counseling, behavioral support, psychiatric treatment when needed, recovery resources, and attention to the individual's broader life circumstances.
How Mar Y Sol Mental Health Experts Can Help
At Mar Y Sol Mental Health Experts, we treat opioid use disorder as a medical and behavioral health condition—not a moral failure.
Our goal is to provide care in a respectful, nonjudgmental environment where patients can speak openly about their substance use, mental health, setbacks, and recovery goals.
Our treatment approach may include:
Medication treatment for opioid use disorder
SUBLOCADE
Buprenorphine-based treatment
Psychiatric evaluation
Individual therapy
Treatment for depression and anxiety
Trauma-informed care
Relapse-prevention support
Coordination with other healthcare professionals when appropriate
Our clinical team includes Dr. Aura Ardon, a board-certified psychiatrist, and Meghan Lunnie, PA, who has a particular focus on recovery and substance-use treatment.
We believe medication can provide stability, but recovery is about much more than medication.
It is about helping the person rebuild health, relationships, purpose, confidence, and quality of life.
Taking the Next Step
Starting treatment can feel overwhelming, particularly if you have tried to stop opioids before and experienced withdrawal, cravings, or relapse.
You do not need to have everything figured out before asking for help.
The first step can simply be having a conversation about what is happening and what treatment options may fit your needs.
If you are interested in SUBLOCADE or treatment for opioid use disorder, contact Mar Y Sol Mental Health Experts at (203) 456-6989 to schedule an evaluation.
Our Danbury office is located at:
46 Federal Road, Suite D
Danbury, CT 06810
Recovery does not have to look the same for everyone.
The goal is not simply to stop using opioids. The goal is to help you build a life in which recovery can last.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. SUBLOCADE is a prescription medication and is not appropriate for everyone. Treatment for opioid use disorder should be individualized and provided by a qualified healthcare professional. Buprenorphine can cause serious or life-threatening respiratory depression, particularly when combined with alcohol, benzodiazepines, sedatives, or other central nervous system depressants. Talk with your healthcare provider about medication risks, overdose prevention, and whether naloxone should be prescribed or available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sublocade?
SUBLOCADE is a long-acting injectable form of buprenorphine used to treat moderate to severe opioid use disorder in adults. It gradually releases medication over an extended period and is administered by a healthcare professional.
Do I need to take Suboxone for seven days before starting Sublocade?
Not necessarily. Current prescribing information allows some patients who are not already taking buprenorphine to receive a test dose of transmucosal buprenorphine and, if it is tolerated appropriately, receive their first SUBLOCADE injection the same day. Patients already receiving appropriate doses of transmucosal buprenorphine may be transitioned directly. Your provider will determine the safest approach for you.
How often do you receive Sublocade?
After the initial dosing period, SUBLOCADE is generally administered once monthly. The exact dose and timing depend on your response to treatment and should be determined by your healthcare provider.
Will Sublocade stop cravings completely?
SUBLOCADE can significantly reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms, but individual responses vary. Medication works best as part of a comprehensive recovery plan that includes appropriate behavioral and psychosocial support.
Can I still overdose while taking Sublocade?
Yes. SUBLOCADE reduces some risks associated with opioid use disorder, but overdose is still possible. Using opioids, alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other sedating substances can be particularly dangerous. Ask your healthcare provider about keeping naloxone available.
Can any doctor give Sublocade?
SUBLOCADE is available only through its restricted REMS program and must be administered by a healthcare professional in an appropriate healthcare setting that complies with the program requirements. Patients cannot pick up SUBLOCADE from a retail pharmacy and inject it themselves.
Is Sublocade addictive?
SUBLOCADE contains buprenorphine, which is an opioid and can cause physical dependence. However, physical dependence is not the same thing as uncontrolled addiction. Buprenorphine is an evidence-based medication used to treat opioid use disorder and can help reduce cravings, withdrawal, and illicit opioid use when appropriately prescribed.
