Sublocade Clinic
in Port Saint Lucie, Florida
Pinnacle Wellness Group understands opioid and opiate addiction and the struggles that can come along with it. We strive to provide outstanding care to help you live your life free from addiction.
One of the medications we utilize is Sublocade (extended-release buprenorphine). With Sublocade, you receive an injection once monthly at our office instead of taking a daily dose of medication. The once-monthly medication alleviates the inconvenience of prescription refills or remembering to take daily medication. Patients who are not already receiving buprenorphine must first receive a dose of buprenorphine that dissolves in the mouth to establish tolerability. A healthcare provider will determine whether Sublocade is appropriate and when treatment can begin.
When you receive a Sublocade injection, it works by binding to the same receptors in the brain that other opioids use.
Common other opioids such as morphine, oxycodone, heroin, and fentanyl are very dangerous when taken on the street. Overdoses are becoming very common. Medication-assisted treatment may help reduce these risks. Sublocade may help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
The active medication in Sublocade is buprenorphine. It does not contain naloxone.
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. A partial opioid agonist delivers a small opioid dose to a patient, unlike a full opioid agonist that fully stimulates the opioid receptors. This medication provides a gradual path for the client to be slowly weaned off other medication and minimize the withdrawal symptoms. Buprenorphine is a first step in the Medication-Assisted Treatment process.
What is the difference between Sublocade and Suboxone?
While they are similar in many ways, the main difference is how long Sublocade lasts. Sublocade is injected and forms a small ball under the skin. Then Sublocade is released into the body over about a month.
You may already know of the Vivitrol shot. Sublocade is entirely different.
Vivitrol consists of naltrexone, which is a blocker for opioids. Sublocade is a partial agonist released over time. Meaning- it blocks other opioids from the receptors in the brain while allowing for some of the low-level opioid agonists to significantly reduce or eliminate withdrawal symptoms. An experienced physician or practitioner must monitor patients receiving Sublocade injections. It can only be given by a licensed health care professional.
Sublocade injections are an option of treatment at Pinnacle Wellness Group.
Sublocade is administered as a once-monthly injection under the skin by a trained healthcare provider. The medication is released slowly for that month. Our office will schedule monthly follow-up appointments to ensure you receive your monthly injection on time. These visits will be an opportunity to monitor a patient’s progress and evaluate the effectiveness of the Sublocade injection.