Long-acting injectable buprenorphine removes daily dosing from the equation entirely — a meaningful option for people who struggle with daily medication adherence or want fewer daily reminders of treatment.
Sublocade: A monthly injection, administered by a healthcare provider, that forms a gel depot under the skin and releases buprenorphine steadily over the month. Requires being stabilized on daily sublingual buprenorphine for at least a week before switching, per FDA labeling.
Brixadi: Available in both weekly and monthly injection options, giving more flexibility in dosing frequency than Sublocade’s monthly-only format.
Why this matters practically: No daily pill or film to remember, carry, or explain if someone finds it; injections are given at a clinic or provider’s office, which also means built-in regular contact with your care team.
A cost consideration: These formulations are typically more expensive than daily sublingual buprenorphine without insurance — Sublocade’s list price is notably high per injection. cost estimator tool Insurance coverage, including Medicaid, often covers these, but it’s worth confirming before assuming affordability either way.
Discontinuation is different too: Because of the slow-release depot nature, stopping these formulations doesn’t produce an abrupt change — see our article on long-acting formulation discontinuation. [Link]
Medically reviewed by [pending]. Sources: FDA prescribing information for Sublocade and Brixadi.