How is Sublocade Different from Suboxone? What You Need To Know

Key Points

• Both Sublocade and Suboxone are FDA-approved treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD), and they are both forms of buprenorphine.
• Sublocade is a monthly subcutaneous injection given by a healthcare professional, whereas Suboxone is a self-administered sublingual film.
• Both Suboxone and Sublocade treatment options are considered effective for the treatment of opioid addiction.
• Some side effects may differ, including injection site irritation and numbness of the mouth.
• There are many signs of opioid use disorder, and OUD can be mild, moderate, or severe.
• Medication-assisted treatment options can reduce the risks of opioid use, including a fatal opioid overdose.
• Other treatments for opioid use disorder include other medications, behavioral therapy, inpatient treatment, and outpatient treatment.

How is Sublocade Different from Suboxone?

Sublocade and Suboxone are different buprenorphine formulations. Suboxone is a form of buprenorphine that also contains naloxone, whereas Sublocade only contains the active ingredient buprenorphine. Sublocade is a monthly injection; Suboxone is a sublingual film. Both are used to treat physical dependence or addiction to opioid drugs.

Sublocade Vs Suboxone

Despite containing the same active ingredient, Sublocade and Suboxone differ in several ways. Some of these differences include the drug formulation, administration, side effects, and more. There may be pros and cons of taking one or another of these buprenorphine formulations depending on your unique circumstances.

Sublocade and Suboxone: Formulation Comparison

Sublocade and Suboxone are similar medications. They both contain the active ingredient buprenorphine. They’re also FDA-approved to treat opioid use disorder, sometimes referred to as opioid dependence.

Sublocade only contains buprenorphine. No other drugs are combined in its formulation. The same is not true for Suboxone. Suboxone contains buprenorphine and another medication known as naloxone. Naloxone is included in Suboxone primarily to deter misuse by injection; while it can reverse opioid overdose when administered alone, its role in Suboxone is not to reverse overdose during therapeutic use.

Sublocade vs Suboxone: How They’re Administered

One of the key differences between Sublocade and Suboxone is how these drugs are administered. Sublocade is delivered via a monthly injection by a healthcare provider. The Sublocade injection is given in the upper arm, thigh, stomach, or buttocks. After the shot, the individual will notice a small lump at the injection site. It shouldn’t be rubbed, massaged, or restrained by tight clothing. Suboxone is administered via a sublingual film. It’s placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve.

Is Sublocade longer-acting than Suboxone?

Sublocade is an extended-release medication. Its active ingredient is released into the body gradually. A single dose of Sublocade is intended to last a month. Suboxone is meant to be taken daily.

How do side effects compare?

There’s substantial overlap between the side effects of Sublocade and Suboxone, which is to be expected since both prescription drugs share the active ingredient buprenorphine. However, there are differences, including pain or itching at the injection site or pain for Sublocade injections or numbness in the mouth for sublingual Suboxone.

Side Effects of Sublocade

Common Sublocade side effects include: [1]

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Insomnia
• Headache
• Painful urination
• Liver problems
• Constipation
• Itching, burning, or redness at the injection site

Side Effects of Suboxone

Common side effects associated with Suboxone include: [2]

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Headache
• Back pain
• Excessive sweating
• Rapid or pounding heartbeat
• Tongue pain
• Numbness inside the mouth

The above lists of side effects are not intended to be comprehensive. See the package label and prescribing information for a full list of adverse reactions, or talk to your doctor. If you have serious side effects, seek immediate medical attention.

Sublocade and Suboxone: Which One Works Better?

It’s difficult to say which of these medications is more effective. Sublocade and Suboxone work in similar ways to treat opioid addiction. They both contain the active ingredient buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist.[3] Buprenorphine binds to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms without creating the same high as other opiates.

Suboxone contains buprenorphine and naloxone, with the naloxone included to deter intravenous misuse of the medication. In situations where overdose is a concern, Suboxone treatment may be preferred.

Which is more suitable for long-term recovery or addiction programs?

Both Sublocade and Suboxone may have a place in long-term addiction treatment plans for substance use disorder, particularly OUD. Suboxone is often used as an initial treatment in an attempt to stabilize an individual experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms. Overdose tends to be more of a concern early in treatment, so naloxone is often a welcome addition to the treatment plan.

Sublocade tends to be used as a maintenance treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). Both are considered effective treatment options, but everyone’s recovery journey is unique. Only a medical professional can recommend one over the other, and it might depend on the individual.

Other Treatment Options for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)

Sublocade and Suboxone are just two of the options for treating opioid addiction or dependency. Other medications are available to prevent cravings and other withdrawal symptoms. These medications may be more effective when combined with counseling with a substance use and rehabilitation counselor. Inpatient and outpatient treatment, as well as aftercare services, are also available.

Signs of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)

Whether you decide on Sublocade, Suboxone, or another medication, the most important thing is that you (or your loved one) receive evidence-based treatment for a substance use disorder like OUD. If you’re still on the fence about seeking treatment, consider these signs of opioid addiction: [4]

• Experiencing intense cravings for opioid drugs
• Taking prescription opioids longer, or in higher doses, than prescribed by a healthcare professional
• Needing more of the drug to achieve the same effect, building tolerance
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not taking opioids
• Using opioids or another substance to prevent opioid withdrawal symptoms
• Using opioids, even when it’s dangerous to do so
• Continuing to use opioids, even if it’s causing problems at work, school, or in relationships
• Spending an excessive amount of time getting, using, or recovering from opioid drugs
• Failing to meet responsibilities due to opioid use
• No longer participating in previously enjoyed activities because of opioids
• Continued use of opioid drugs despite it exacerbating a physical or mental health condition.

Opioid use disorder can be considered mild, moderate, or severe. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, two to three symptoms indicate mild OUD; four to five symptoms indicate moderate OUD; and six or more symptoms indicate severe OUD.[5]  Any form of OUD requires prompt treatment.

Risks of Untreated OUD

Immediate treatment of opioid use disorder is critical. Without treatment, individuals addicted to opioid drugs face many threats, and many of these threats are life-threatening. Some of the risks of untreated OUD include: [6]

• Falls and accidents are more likely when a person is high on opioid drugs.
• People who inject opioids using shared or unsterile equipment are at high risk of contracting bloodborne infections like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.
• Untreated OUD may lead to a fatal overdose.
• Opioid addicts may be more likely to die by suicide.
• People who use opioids face a high risk of doing jail or prison time.

Without treatment, the mortality rate for opioid users is ten times as high as that of the general population. [7] Medication-assisted treatment can mitigate many of these risks and lead to long-term recovery.

Consider All Treatment Options for OUD

Suboxone and Sublocade are both considered effective treatments for opioid dependency, but there are others. Methadone and naltrexone are also FDA-approved to treat opioid use disorder. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, medication-assisted treatment has been shown to reduce the risk of opioid overdose and deaths related to opioid use. A substance use and rehabilitation counselor can discuss detoxification and treatment options for you or your loved one.