Starting Sublocade (Monthly Buprenorphine Injection)

Sublocade is a once-monthly buprenorphine injection for people who do not want to deal with daily dosing or having to take the medication using their mouth.

We partner with pharmacy and injection sites throughout California to prv.

Here’s how it usually works:

  • We start or continue you on Suboxone (oral buprenorphine) first

  • At the same time, we begin arranging your Sublocade injection

  • Injections can sometimes happen as soon as the next day, but can take weeks.

  • Delays can occur if your insurance requires prior authorization or lengthy paperwork.

If you want Sublocade immediately, your fastest option is to search for a local in-person clinic that already stocks and administers it.

If you are not in a rush, our clinic can manage the transition by keeping you stable on Suboxone while we help with the coordination process.

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  • It depends. Most of our patients who ask this question have heard of someone who was placed on sublocade, missed their follow up dose, and the sublocade slowly wore off without any withdrawal symptoms. This has been reported by some patients. However, others have reported they develop withdrawal around the time their next injection is due, or soon after. If you would like to taper using sublocade, our clinic can help you try this method safely, with a backup plan in case your body does not taper off sublocade easily.

  • Sublocade is a long-acting monthly injection of buprenorphine. It provides steady medication levels without needing to take a daily film or tablet. You just need to get an injection once a month.

  • Yes. You must first be stable on an oral form of buprenorphine before transitioning to Sublocade. This ensures your body tolerates the medication well. Typically, you will be on suboxone 8-16 mg daily prior to transitioning to the injection.

  • Sometimes it can be arranged within days, but can take weeks. This mainly depends on whether your insurance covers sublocade. If you need an injection immediately, we recommend going to an in-person clinic in your community that stocks and administers injections on site.

  • We partner with most major pharmacy chains that administer injections throughout all of California.

  • Sublocade (buprenorphine) injections are administered subcutaneously (just under the skin). Injections are usually in the abdominal region. Other approved sites are the thigh, buttocks, and back of the upper arm. The injection creates a small, temporary, soft deposit under the skin.