Sublocade (Buprenorphine) extended-release injection belongs to the class of medications called partial opioid agonists. It is used, together with an overall addiction treatment program that includes medical, social, and psychological support, to treat adults who are dependent on opiates (narcotics) such as Oxycodone or Morphine. Sublocade (Buprenorphine) extended-release injection is used after an effective dose of Sublocade (Buprenorphine) has been established using Sublocade (Buprenorphine) sublingual tablets.

A person addicted to narcotics who suddenly stops taking the narcotic may experience severe withdrawal symptoms. Sublocade (Buprenorphine) works by replacing the physical effects of the narcotic the person is addicted to, which can help make it easier to treat their addiction.

Sublocade (Buprenorphine) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Sublocade (Buprenorphine) may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Sublocade (Buprenorphine) may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Sublocade (Buprenorphine) for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Sublocade (Buprenorphine), speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Sublocade (Buprenorphine) without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Sublocade (Buprenorphine) to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Sublocade (Buprenorphine) if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The recommended starting dose of Sublocade (Buprenorphine) is 300 mg injected subcutaneously (under the skin) in the abdominal area, once a month for two months. After two months, the dose is reduced to 100 mg injected once a month. There must be at least 26 days between doses.

Sublocade (Buprenorphine) must not be given intravenously (into a vein). Doing so could result in serious harm and possibly death.

Sublocade (Buprenorphine) will be injected by your health care professional. Once injected, the liquid from the syringe forms a small, solid mass that acts as a depot and slowly releases the medication over the month. This may feel like a small bump under your skin, which should get smaller over time.  Do not rub or massage the injection site. Avoid wearing tight belts or clothing waistbands that may irritate the injection site.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important Sublocade (Buprenorphine) be given exactly as recommended by your doctor. If you miss an appointment to receive Sublocade (Buprenorphine) extended-release injection, contact your doctor as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.

Store Sublocade (Buprenorphine) in the refrigerator, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Sublocade (Buprenorphine). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Sublocade (Buprenorphine) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Sublocade (Buprenorphine). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• Constipation
• decreased sexual ability or interest in sexual activity
• dizziness or lightheadedness when rising from a sitting or lying position
• drowsiness
• Dry Mouth
• fatigue
• headache
• injection site discomfort (e.g., itching, pain, redness, bruising, swelling)
• itching
• nausea
• poor appetite
• stomach pain
• sweating
• trouble sleeping
• vision changes
• vomiting

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• fainting
• signs of a bowel blockage (e.g., abdominal pain, severe constipation, nausea)
• signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, Diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
• symptoms of Low Blood Pressure (e.g., fainting, dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision, nausea)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
• slow, shallow, or weak breathing
• symptoms of serotonin syndrome (e.g., confusion, fast heartbeat, hallucinations, restlessness, shaking, shivering, sudden jerking of muscles, sweating)
• withdrawal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, shivering, cold and clammy skin, body aches, loss of appetite, sweating)

Get medical help immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms of overdose or notice them in someone receiving Sublocade (Buprenorphine) treatment:

• cold and clammy skin
• confusion
• difficulty walking
• hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren't there)
• poor muscle tone
• extreme sleepiness or dizziness
• slow or weak breathing

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Sublocade (Buprenorphine).

Each 1 mL of clear, viscous, colourless-to-yellow-to-amber sterile solution for subcutaneous injection contains 200 mg of Sublocade (Buprenorphine). Nonmedicinal ingredients: 50:50 Poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide), and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone.

Do not take Sublocade (Buprenorphine) if you:

• are allergic to Sublocade (Buprenorphine) or any ingredients of the medication
• have acute alcohol addiction or are experiencing alcohol withdrawal (delirium tremens)
• have severely reduced liver function
• have severely reduced lung (breathing) function; acute, severe Asthma; or another airway disease
• are currently taking or have taken a MAO inhibitor (e.g., Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine) within the past 14 days
• have a blockage in the digestive system or slowed movement of your digestive system 
• are experiencing sudden severe abdominal pain that may require surgery (surgical abdomen)
• have increased pressure inside the head or spine (increased intracranial or cerebrospinal pressure), or a head injury
• have a seizure disorder
• have a heart rhythm disorder called Long QT Syndrome or QT prolongation
• have untreated low levels of potassium, magnesium, or calcium in the blood

There may be an interaction between Sublocade (Buprenorphine) XR and any of the following:

• aclidinium
• alcohol
• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, Lisdexamfetamine)
• antiarrthymics (e.g., Amiodarone, Disopyramide, Dronedarone, procainamide, quinidine, Sotalol)
• antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, doxylamine, Diphenhydramine, Hydroxyzine, Loratadine)
• antipsychotics (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• Apalutamide
• Aprepitant
• atropine
• azelastine
• "azole" antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, Voriconazole)
• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, pentobarbital, Phenobarbital)
• belladonna
• benzodiazepines (e.g., Alprazolam, Diazepam, Lorazepam)
• Benztropine
• Bosentan
• brimonidine
• Buspirone
• cannabis
• chloral hydrate
• Cobicistat
• conivaptan
• Darifenacin
• Deferasirox
• Desmopressin
• Diltiazem
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene)
• Domperidone
• efavirenz
• Eluxadoline
• Enzalutamide
• etravirine
• Fesoterodine
• Flavoxate
• general anesthetics (medications used to put people to sleep before surgery)
• grapefruit juice
• glycopyrrolate
• Hepatitis C antivirals (e.g., daclatasvir, dasabuvir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir)
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• ipratropium
• Ivacaftor
• letermovir
• lithium
• lumacaftor
• ketotifen
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• Metoclopramide
• Methadone
• mifepristone
• Mirtazapine
• Modafinil
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (M.O.S. e.g., Moclobemide, Rasagiline, Selegiline, tranylcypromine)
• muscle relaxants (e.g., Baclofen, Cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, orphenadrine)
• Nabilone
• Naltrexone
• narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine, Fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone)
• Octreotide
• Oxybutynin
• Pegvisomant
• Pramipexole
• protein kinase inhibitors (e.g., Crizotinib, Dabrafenib, imatinib, Nilotinib)
• quinine
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• Ropinirole
• Rotigotine
• St. John's wort
• scopolamine
• seizure medications (e.g., Clobazam, Levetiracetam, Perampanel, phenobarbital, Phenytoin, primidone, Topiramate, Valproic acid, zonisamide)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs; e.g., Desvenlafaxine, Duloxetine, Venlafaxine)
• Solifenacin
• suvorexant
• Tapentadol
• tiotropium
• Tocilizumab
• Tolterodine
• Tramadol
• Trazodone
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Clomipramine, Desipramine, Imipramine)
• Tryptophan
• umeclidinium
• Verapamil
• Zolpidem
• Zopiclone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Sublocade (Buprenorphine). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.