Buprenorphine shots are a long-acting alternative to oral medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Suboxone and methadone are other popular options. Instead of taking a sublingual pill or film every day, you’d get a shot from a health care provider as little as once a month or once a week.
While you’re in recovery, freedom from a strict medication schedule means more time and energy to focus on other aspects of treatment. Injectables may be just as accessible for you as Suboxone and other medications. They’re typically covered by Medicaid and most insurance plans. Coverage, however, can vary by region and individual insurance policies.
Dr. Megan Britton at Groups explains: “One of the greatest benefits of injectables is that it provides consistent medication coverage for some of our higher risk members. For example, individuals with housing insecurity, transportation challenges, and other barriers to care can focus on addressing these other social determinants of health with our care team – without the additional layer of stress around medication access. Along with weekly group counseling and high-quality team-based care, consistent medication coverage is an important part of member success here at Groups.”
At Groups, we’re currently offering injectable buprenorphine as part of a pilot program at our Maine locations. We’re planning to expand this option to other states based on the success of this program. In the meantime, we offer comprehensive Suboxone treatment at all Groups locations.
In this article, we’ll talk about what buprenorphine injections are. Then we’ll discuss the benefits they provide to people recovering from opioid use disorder (OUD).
The basics: What are buprenorphine shots?
Buprenorphine shots are injections that release medication into your system over a period of either one week or one month, depending on the specific injectable used. Their main purpose is to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms in people with OUD. These injectables work by leaving a small deposit of medication under the skin that forms a solid or gel. This dissolves slowly and enters the bloodstream over time.
Injectables create a consistent level of medication without the need to take an oral medication every day. They contain one of the same ingredients as Suboxone. It’s just the delivery method that’s different.
The following are two injectable options that we offer at Groups:
- Sublocade — Monthly injection given by a health care provider
- Brixadi — Weekly or monthly injections given by a health care provider
Key benefits of injectable buprenorphine
Many people prefer injectables over oral MOUD. They make for a simpler daily routine that results in fewer missed doses. If you have a hard time taking your medication or if you have an irregular schedule, injectables might be especially helpful. If privacy is a concern, receiving an injection from a health care provider will eliminate the need to keep medications at home.
The following are the key benefits of buprenorphine injectables:
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Freedom from daily medication routine
With injectables, you don’t need to remember to take an oral medication at the same time every day. You spend less time thinking about taking your medication. This means you’ll have more mental energy for therapy and recovery work. For those who have medication anxiety, that’s a significant relief.
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Better treatment adherence
For many people, weekly or monthly injections may help reduce the chances of missing doses. They can lead to more consistency in their treatment. However, individual experiences can vary. More consistency means fewer cravings and fewer withdrawal symptoms. It may also give you a better chance of success with your recovery goals.
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Privacy and convenience
Taking injectables means no pill bottles or visible reminders for your medication routine. You’ll never have to carry medication with you, which can help reduce the social stigma that sometimes comes with addiction treatment. It may be easier to maintain your schedule, too.
- Steady medication levels
With oral medications, you may have daily fluctuations in your mood and energy level. Injectables provide a much more consistent experience. They help maintain stable levels of medication in the bloodstream. They may help reduce mood fluctuations and energy dips that may come with daily dosing.
This is another reason why people have fewer withdrawal symptoms and cravings when taking injectables.
What to expect: The injection experience
Monthly or weekly injections take some pressure off your day-to-day routine. This may allow for more flexibility in your schedule. However, you must commit to your monthly or weekly appointments. It’s also important to maintain other support besides medication. You should stay connected with a supportive recovery community and keep working toward your recovery goals.
Here’s what the injection experience is like:
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During your appointment
The office visit for a Sublocade or Brixadi injection is quick. You can be in and out in 15 to 30 minutes. You’ll receive the injection in your upper arm, thigh, abdomen or buttocks. Then you’ll stay for a short monitoring period and schedule your next appointment before you leave.
- The physical experience
Like any other shot, you may have some discomfort during and after the injection. Some people experience temporary soreness at the injection site. There are no special aftercare requirements. You can resume normal daily activities right away. However, you must avoid massaging the injection area. Watch for injection-site lumps or skin changes.
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Timeline and effectiveness
Injectable buprenorphine medications start working within hours. They reach full effectiveness within 48 hours. After that, the medication is released at a steady level throughout the dosing period. You may experience a slight decrease as the next injection approaches. Brixadi reaches steady state in approximately four weekly doses, while Sublocade takes two. Steady state means that the presence of the medication is equal to the amount of drug that’s eliminated.
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Stopping treatment
Injectables are safe and effective for long-term treatment. Many people keep taking them indefinitely. If you decide you want to stop taking your medication, you should talk with your prescriber. You’ll create a plan to manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Then you’ll need to go through a gradual tapering process under their supervision.
Making the decision: Are injectables right for you?
Before you can take a buprenorphine injection, you’ll need to take it orally for a couple of reasons.
First, taking a short-acting oral dose allows you to stop taking the medication safely. This is important if it turns out you’re allergic to buprenorphine or you can’t tolerate it for a medical reason.
Second, you have to gradually work your way up to a dosage that works for you. Each person’s needs and experiences are different, so injectables aren’t for everyone.
Taking injectables is a longer-term commitment than taking oral versions like Suboxone. Your treatment team may want you to take Suboxone for a short period while you’re transitioning and establishing your recovery goals.
These treatments are usually covered by insurance. But they may have a different copay structure than oral medications. Preauthorization may also be required. Your Recovery Support Specialist will help you navigate the insurance approval process.
There are a few questions to consider before making the switch:
- Are you comfortable receiving injections?
- How well are you managing daily medication?
- What are your long-term recovery goals?
- How important is medication privacy to you?
- Can you commit to regular clinic visits?
Explore your options for long-acting injectables at Groups
At Groups, we believe in empowering our community by opening up as many potential paths to recovery as possible. Education and individual choice are critical for each person’s recovery process.
Your treatment team at Groups will consist of a qualified prescriber, a Recovery Support Specialist, and a licensed group counselor. As our name suggests, support groups are a major component of our services.
Are you ready to find out if long-acting injectables are right for you? If you live in Maine, see if there’s a Groups location near you or give us a call and ask about virtual treatment options.
We offer Suboxone and support at all Groups locations. Give our Recovery Support Specialists a call today for more information or to begin your recovery.
We provide treatment across the country — and we’re always expanding. See if we offer care in your state, either online or at one of our 130+ local offices. If Groups doesn’t offer treatment in your area, you can locate other treatment options here.
