Opioid addiction is a chronic disease that involves compulsive drug-seeking behavior, cravings, development of tolerance over time, withdrawal symptoms, and causes clinically significant impairment or distress.  Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that is FDA approved for treatment of opioid (narcotic) addiction.  Treatment is usually in an office based setting.

The most common formulations consist of SUBOXONE pills or film, SUBUTEX, ZUBSOLV, and BUNAVAIL.  These are usually administered sublingual or buccal for the desired effect.  The usual dosage is 1-2 daily.  Basically, Buprenorphine blocks the withdrawal symptoms and craving.  It also has some pain decreasing properties. Buprenorphine has a ceiling effect that reduced the potential for drug overdose and confers low toxicity even at high doses. This formulation is one of the most important developments for opioid addiction.  Unlike Methadone maintenance for addiction, the medication can be prescribed by an authorized opioid-treatment physician in an office based setting, instead of being dispensed in federally authorized opioid treatment clinics.  This makes it possible for treatment of these patients in the same medical approach used for other patients with chronic conditions.  Buprenorphine differs from methadone in that there is greater safety and less addictive potential.

SUBLOCADE is the newest treatment for narcotic addiction.  This form of Buprenorphine is injected into the subcutaneous tissues of the abdomen.  Once injected, it forms a depot or implant substance that time releases the medication.  This extended-release delivery systemis designed to deliver Buprenorphine at a controlled rate.  SUBLOCADE blocks the craving and withdrawal effects from opioids.  We have extensive experience in the use of SUBLOCADE and provide a program for gradual withdrawal from this form of Buprenorphine.

Our program for opioid addiction and dependency consists of maintenance doses of Buprenorphine, following by gradual reductions in dosage to lessen the effects of craving and withdrawal.  This combined with psychological counseling, drug screens, and other support efforts provide a systematic approach to the chronic disease of addiction

For more about Sublocade.