Sublocade - A New Kind Of Suboxone (Page 2)

So there's a new kind of SUBOXONE out and it's called SUBLOCADE. It's a once a month injection done by a medical professional that lasts ALL month. So no more having to take it sublingually (under the tongue) daily anymore. I just found out about this last week and was wanting anyone's input about it. I don't know how I feel about it. What if it doesn't work ALL month and on week 3 you start feeling like s***? Can you go back to the doctor and get another shot or will they just give you a couple sublingual suboxone to make it through till the next week? I guess it's a pretty big dissolvable thing that slowly releases about 2mg a day into your bloodstream. Once again, I'm not sure how i feel about that. What if something happens and it ALL gets released at once? I'm sure that's bound to happen once every so often. Do please write back letting me know how you guys feel about this, or if you have any new info that I'm leaving out. Thank you.

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Re: Rawdog (# 20)

I just wanted to respond to your question because I didn't see one. The cost of the injection is $1580 if you are paying out of pocket. After going back and forth w/ my insurance for a few months they approved me and I j/ got my 1st 300mg shot on 8/2/18. I didn't go through w/drawl symptoms, however, everyone is different! I noticed an overall tired feeling, but other than that I'm okay. I do have a good sized lump from the shot as well.

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Re: RAWDOG (# 2)

Hi, I'm extremely interested in knowing everything about it as my doctor wants to give me the injection next month. It's actually a form of Subutex as it has no Naloxone in Sublocade. My doctor told me this last week. I'm very anxious about this.

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Re: Addxn Doc (# 14)

I have been taking opioids and then when I can't afford it anymore I take my subs, but I'm now getting the inj. so will they give it to me if I'm only 2 days off opioids and only been on my subs for 2 days?

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Re: Rip (# 23)

Hi, Honestly...The only person who can answer that for you is your prescribing physician. Anyone can give you their opinion but you won't know for sure until your doctor makes that decision. Good Luck to you!

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Re: Jessica jones (# 21)

Hi, Honestly...The only person who can answer that for you is your prescribing physician. Anyone can give you their opinion but you won't know for sure until your doctor makes that decision. Good Luck to you!

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Re: Jessica jones (# 21)

Hi, I have a question if you don't mind! Was the injection itself very painful? I've read where some patients reported the injection was very painful!

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Re: Kimberly 123 (# 25)

Wrong post/wrong person....Sorry!! I don't know how that happened but I apologize!

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Re: Addxn Doc (# 14)

Hi, I have a question for you. My doctor is making me switch from Suboxone strips to the Sublocade injection. My insurance already approved it. He says, I'd have to have the Sublocade injection if I wanted to continue under his care. I'd appreciate your input on this matter. Thank you!

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Re: Kimberly 123 (# 28)

Hey Kimberly, I must say that sounds a bit strange. Unless I am missing something where your Doc has some extreme reason to limit you like that? For me personally I completely give all patients the option to participate in their care including shared decision making where possible. Did they give you a reason for this possibly based on your own history? If it is just arbitrary, it doesn't make sense to me. Best Wishes

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Re: AddxnDoc (# 29)

All of his patients have to switch from the films to the injection. This is the only form of Suboxone he will offer starting next month he said. I just would like to know if that's legal for him to give us no choice in the matter.

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Re: AddxnDoc (# 29)

Hi, I know it's been a while since our last conversation about the Sublocade inj. but I have an important update about my current situation with my doctor & the decision of accepting the Sublocade inj.. Last month during my September doctor's visit, I informed him of my concerns & fears about the Sublocade inj., which he had already submitted a Prior Authorization & had the Sublocade ready to have his nurse administrator it to me. I asked him to please give me a couple of weeks to think more about having to receive the inj. because I was so full of fear & anxiety that he & the administering nurse clearly could see my facial expression & that I was really afraid & didn't want to have to be forced to change to Sublocade. So, he agreed to give me 2 more weeks to have time to get use to the thought of it & hopefully some of my fear & anxiety will have subsided somewhat in those 2 weeks. So, fast forward to yesterday which was Friday, 10/12/18. I pretty much at that point was just simply mentally exhausted from thinking & thinking some more & overthinking this change I was being forced to make by my doctor, but of course.... I could have just refused & been forced to find myself another doctor who has all the credentials, certifications & other requirements to even be able to treat a patient with substance abuse with Suboxone or any other opioid blocker which finding another doctor with these qualifications & not to mention who is accepting new patients & accepts my particular insurance is literally an act of Congress.

You learn fast that if you are well established with a doctor that you do everything you can to keep that doctor. I'm so sorry for going into such great detail so, I'll get to it.... I received my first Sublocade inj. yesterday. I really had no choice if I wanted to keep my current doctor. But, he did confide in me somewhat & informed me the ones who out right refused to even try the inj. are the exact ones he had been suspicious of either not taking their Suboxone at all & just selling them which is a small fortune for some who do choose to illegally sell their medication or they just weren't willing to give the inj. a try because they refused to give up the income they were receiving from the sales & chose to find another doctor. He also told me that if after giving it a fair chance & I or any other patient didn't do well with the inj. and wanted to seitch back to the Suboxone films or tablets, that he would be ok with that. Having said everything I've said, I can honestly say... I'm glad that I chose to try the Sublocade. I will update as the days & weeks of this month go by. Thanks for reading!

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Re: Kimberly 123 (# 31)

Thank for your story, and I fully understand the whole selling them game. Your right it is a small fortune to some. But if the doc thinks everyone is out there selling them he's just as much to blame!! Please keep me updated on how the first week was. And did you feel a rush on your first few days or did it feel like you didn't take anything? How many MG'S were you taking daily prior to the shot? And how many mg's are released daily with the shot? And can the shot be adjusted to release more or less mg's a day?? Hope all goes well for you, can't wait to hear back from ya!!

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Re: Rawdog (# 32)

Hi, I still have no complaints after having the shot! Now, the first day after getting home, I felt as if I had taken some narcotic pain medication; A euphoric feeling somewhat. The 2nd day as well. From then on, I've just felt normal/nothing abnormally. Although, I do still have that urge to go to my purse to get a Suboxone. There's very minimal discomfort where she injected the medication. However, there is a small sized lump or hard spot. The injection comes in 300 mg. & 100 mg. The first 2 injections will be the 300 mg. Beginning on the third time you receive the injection, you will be given the 100mg. from there on out unless you & your doctor decide you may still need the 300 mg. dose longer than 2 months, that's certainly an option as well. Just depends on the individual & their need to remain on the 300 mg as 100 mg may be too low of a dose for some people. The way the medication works once it is injected, it forms a small knot or ball & they actually compared it to a small balloon being pricked with a very small needle & that allows the medication to dispense slowly at a steady pace all month long. I seem to be just fine so far. I certainly hope to remain that way. I will keep updating as the weeks go on.

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Re: Kimberly 123 (# 31)

Hi Kimberly, Thanks so much for sharing honestly your story! I like your gut level honesty about how your mind took you all over the place about the change to the injection. I gather from what you shared that your Doc may suspect a lot of diversion from his practice for whatever reason among many of his or her patients. The fact he offered you the option to switch back makes much more sense. The unfortunate fact is many patients, unlike yourself, come into clinic and try to slip through the cracks to get meds to sell only. They really mess things up and when they get busted dealing it always makes major headlines. My patients have had excellent results with Sublocade so far. I have had zero complaints and all want to stay on the injection. The injection does leave a pea sized lump which is normal. It is deposited in a matrix in the subcutaneous fat layer of skin that causes very slow release over a month or longer. If anyone has an issue with the injection for any reason, it can be surgically removed within 2 weeks of getting the shot in case of any emergency.

I do have one patient that has continued with the 300 mg dose for his 3rd & 4th injection due to very severe pain issues. Others have switched to 100 mg with no problems at all. I also have an interesting patient that wants to come off meds altogether so he received one injection 13 weeks ago now and still feels no withdrawal at all! We stay in contact every week and he is doing amazing. All of my pts have stated the same thing as you about not taking something every day. This is where the very real "process addiction" comes in to treatment. The daily act of taking something and now removing that process becomes a huge part of the recovery process. Thank you so much for sharing your honest experience with this. It really helps others when they can read about others success & experience. As you are probably very aware, when people read stuff like {projected fear & bad potential side effects from people who have not taken the injection}, and have no actual, real experience, it scares the hell out of them unnecessarily due to fear instilled by others. So Happy for you, All the best to your continued success!

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Re: Addxn Doc (# 34)

Hi, I wanted to update you & others about my physical & mental state & it started 2 days ago. I have fever, chills & I'm extremely dizzy. Now, I don't know if it's at all related to Sublocade. I called my doctor & he seems to think I have a bug. Very well could be. I can tell you that what I'm feeling doesn't compare at all to withdrawls. I'm, hopefully going to a walk in clinic today to set my mind at ease & hopefully, it isn't the flu, either. Thanks for reading!

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Re: wanKimberly 123 (# 35)

Hey hope you feel better, I'm interested in finding out what thet diagnose you with. The reason I say this is because I have these exact symptoms quite often. I thought is was because I would run thru my pain medication and have a week n a half to two weeks where I would have to take subs(both strips and subutex) to make it to my next fill date. And some of my friends thought it was a shock to my system and it was my body reacting from going from one extreme to another.
Later I found out it was due to Menier's Disease an inner ear issue where it would cause me to get severe vertigo something I don't wish upon my worst enemy!!! So with that being said please let me know your outcome and my prayers go out to you

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Re: Rawdog (# 36)

I'm going to the doctor & I will definitely let you know. I've also been having problems with me left ear, a little drainage. So, I very well could have an ear infection.

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I think Sublocade is a great option for someone on a dose of 4mg or less per day. I was ready to get this shot last week, but put it off. I'm on 8mg of Subutex per day, and, from all my research, don't feel the Sublocade will cover that. I can save some Subutex for the month, but then why bother...? The thought of a monthly shot is awesome and sounds like freedom, but I've opted to wait.

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Re: Elle07 (# 38)

Sublocade actually has no specific indication for persons on lower ranges of Suboxone/ Subutex. All the research data shows 100% success in persons in dose ranges 8/12/24 mg daily. I have also seen success in the 2-4 mg daily range. No patients experienced any withdrawal at 4 weeks, and most that dropped out of the study still felt no withdrawal after 2 to 5 months.

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Re: Kimberly 123 (# 37)

I'm updating again to tell y'all of my diagnosis. I actually have a severe bladder infection & supposedly that's what's causing the fever, the chills, & also dizziness. Who knew?

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