What Is Sublocade? Is It Better Than Suboxone?

It’s no secret that many people are addicted to opioid drugs. If you’re one of those people, then you know the struggle of trying to get sober. Opioids can be highly addictive and challenging to recover from, so it’s essential for anyone who wants help with addiction to do all they can to find what works best for them. Sublocade is a better choice than Suboxone because it doesn’t come with the same side effects as Suboxone does. But before making any decisions about your treatment plan, read this blog post.

What is Sublocade?

Sublocade is a drug used to treat opioid addiction. As an alternative to Suboxone (which contains buprenorphine and naloxone), it’s the only FDA-approved treatment for opioid use disorder that doesn’t contain any naloxone, which has been tied to adverse side effects like anxiety and withdrawal.
Many doctors now use Sublocade as a first-line treatment method for those who want to get clean from opioids.

What is Suboxone, and How Does It Work?

Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. The former blocks the effects of opioids, thereby preventing withdrawal symptoms, while the latter can reverse an opioid overdose if administered in time. Because both buprenorphine and naloxone are opioids themselves, it’s possible to misuse the drug by taking it more frequently than prescribed.

Benefits of Sublocade over Suboxone

The most significant difference between Sublocade and Suboxone is that Sublocade does not contain naloxone. Naloxone has been linked to adverse side effects like anxiety and withdrawal. Also, it makes it difficult for you to receive medication-assisted treatment (MAT) because your doctor will worry about the risk of overdose.
Because Sublocade doesn’t contain naloxone, it’s a much more forgiving treatment method and can be administered in any doctor’s office. You don’t need to worry about the risk of side effects or to have to go through withdrawal if you miss a dose.
Sublocade has been shown to suppress opioid cravings for up to 1 week after use, and it’s one of the first alternative treatments for opioid addiction that the FDA has approved.

Benefits of Suboxone Over Sublocade

Though Sublocade has some advantages over other forms of treatment, it’s not suitable for everyone. Some people prefer to take a drug like Suboxone because it doesn’t require them to make any lifestyle changes. With medications like Sublocade that block opioid cravings, you have to be patient and allow the medication time to work.
If you didn’t get high from opioids before the medication took effect, there’s no reason to take more because it won’t make a difference. Not taking extra drugs will help you avoid potential addictive behavior and ensure that the medication doesn’t lose its effectiveness over time.
Suboxone is also a treatment option for opioid addiction because it’s been proven to be one of the most effective methods for overcoming opioid addiction.

How Can You Get Sublocade?

Sublocade is most commonly administered as a once-monthly injection under the skin. But for patients unable to self-administer the treatment, it can be provided as a once-monthly injection into the muscles.

It’s recommended to be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment like counseling and group therapy for the best chance at long-term recovery.

Who Can Use Sublocade?

Sublocade is approved for adults age 18 and older who are already taking Suboxone or buprenorphine and still experiencing cravings or withdrawal symptoms. However, studies have linked Suboxone with adverse side effects.

While Sublocade is the only treatment that doesn’t contain naloxone, it does have buprenorphine, leading to similar side effects. Because of this, patients should talk with their doctor about any possible side effects they might experience during treatment—and if they’re concerned about specific side effects, they should discuss other treatment options.

So, is Sublocade better than Suboxone?

Suboxone and other drugs like it have helped many people overcome their addictions to opioids. But there are also some adverse side effects related to Suboxone that people don’t like, such as anxiety and the risk of withdrawal.

Sublocade may be a new treatment method, but it’s been shown to be just as effective in some cases. It also doesn’t come with the same risk of side effects associated with Suboxone. So if you’re thinking about getting clean from opioids, you owe it to yourself to talk with a doctor about the best treatment available.

Sublocade is an opioid addiction treatment medication that has shown to be more effective than the standard of care, Suboxone. It does not have any abuse-deterrent properties like other medications on the market. If you do not know which opioid addiction treatment to use between sublocade and Suboxone, reach out to us, and we will help you make an informed decision. Call us at 424-499-2603.