Is sublocade the same as suboxone?

Are you one of those people who can’t understand the difference between Sublocade and Suboxone? Fear not, for we have come up with a comprehensive guide to help ease your confusion!

Sublocade and Suboxone are both medications designed to treat addiction, specifically opioid addiction. However, there are some key differences which set them apart from each other.

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a medication that contains buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine helps reduce cravings for opioids while minimizing withdrawal symptoms, whereas naloxone helps prevent misuse or diversion by blocking the euphoric effects of opiates in case it gets injected intravenously.

The combination makes it an effective treatment for opioid dependence. It lifts people out of their addiction phase into a more manageable state during early recovery but does little on its own to keep them from relapsing.

Let us take you through how Subboxane works in three easy points:

• The drug binds very tightly to opiate receptors in the brain
• Symptoms associated with opioid withdrawal decrease significantly
• Opioid craving decreases too

While feeling good might typically be desirable–in this case–it doesn’t offer any additional breakthrough high or get someone “high.”

How Does Sublocade Work Then?

Sublocade, on the other hand, is made up solely of buprenorphine. But before we delve further into what sets these two substances apart — let’s talk about what it actually means!

When discussing buprenorphine products available on today’s market (like Zubsolv strips), they’re all taken orally (sublingually) meaning under the tongue where they dissolve relatively quickly– about anywhere between five (5) minutes or so — depending on if something was eaten/ drank prior making oral ingestion impractical.

But Sublocade, quite remarkably different than traditional drugs that require daily ingestion or even over-the-weekend shots, works via an injection made straight into the stomach tissue once per month. It has the highest rates of retention among opioid addicts seeking treatment as compared to other medications on the market and benefits for a full 30 days! Even better — no needles required!

For most of you wondering how it happens: Buprenorphine binds to brain receptors similarly but dissolves slowly offering relief for longer periods – like in this case up tp 30 days!

How They Differ

So now, your question…what makes these two things different? As previously mentioned-in passing-, Suboxone contains both buprenorphine and naloxone pharmacological agents. Atypically prescribed orally (zubsolv strips can also be ingested sublingually), while Sublocade is injected monthly–around four weeks apart-enabling long term effects.

The method falls exceedingly helpful for individuals who experience difficulty adhering with their medication regimen frequently.

Here are some key differences between Sublocade vs Suboxone:

	SUBLOCATE	SUBOXONE
ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION	Injection	Oral (or sublingual)
COMPOSITION	Only Buprenorphine	Both buprenorphine + naloxone
FREQUENCY OF DOSING	Monthly	Daily

Which One Is Better?

As you already know- depending on individual needs- each drug offers specific advantages over one another when administered at appropriate times in a person’s life journey. We must—however — point out several factors/prices/maintenance schedules involved with each form of medication.

To make the most informed decision on which medication suits your needs best, let’s take a look at some advantages and disadvantages:

Sublocade

Pros:

• Reduces dependence to opioids
• Monthly dosing — making it easier for patients to manage
• Creates long term effects

Cons:

• Pain at injection site
• Not covered by all insurance providers as new/bill is steep.
• A longer adjustment period – after the initial few doses

Suboxone

Pros:

• Rightly placed dosage of buprenorphine and naloxone combo offers effective relief to opioid withdrawal symptoms.

Cons:

• Ingested daily or several times a day offering fluctuating results depending on patient compliance.

So ultimately both treatments have their unique features according to individual preference and lifestyle patterns.

Subloxane Vs Methadone

But wait? You might ask about another similar medicine– methadone! The comparison between methadone, an old-school treatment for opiate addiction, alongside these two trending drugs doesn’t just stop there. Like sublocade vs suboxzone, multiple differentiations come in effect.

Methadones were first introduced in 1947 with bioavailability: came along buprenorphine only ‘somewhat’ recently in America. However, both perform similar functions while treating drug abuse; they relieve symptoms caused by opioid withdrawal syndromes prevent relapse potential.

Here are where the differences lie between Methadon comparisons with each other.

	METHADONE	SUBOXONE
HOW TO ADMINISTER	Oral	Buccal (sublingual obtainable)
AVAILABILITY	Greater accessibility	Limited

A significant downfall of meth raises multi-doses a day. Before we come to any conclusions based on this alone, it’s important also to consider single-dose availability with buprenorphine drugs like Sublocade or Suboxone (which eliminates the requirement for daily meth consumption aloud).

Side Effects

As with most medications related to treating addiction, side effects are particularly pertinent and require insight.

Common side effects experienced when taking Subloxane include: constipation, insomnia, headaches/migraines digestive issues/constipation amongst less severe symptoms.

Side-effects of suboxzone can be similar yet different than mentioned above too like nausea sweating weak muscles headache. These occurs due in part because of how the drug exert its power fixing neurotransmitter activity at brain level.

For example–-buprenorphine overpowers receptors considerably more strongly than other opioids; resultant requirements dictate that dosages remain technical and specific to individuals making room for likely overdose possibilities — however rare they may still remain.

FAQS

While most people get overly concerned about medication differences — remember only by consulting one’s doctor is where action matters best possible suggestion!

Q: What should I do if I miss my monthly Sublocade dose?

A: It is crucially vital not delay dosing schedule missing doses could reverse beneficial progress protecting against dependence syndromes. Also – don’t increase dosage size without consulting your physician prior.

Q: Am I able switch between opioid treatments regularly?

A: First priority needs having a dialogue with health care professional before reaching such decisions yourself!

Q: Is using any opioid treatment long-term considered safe?

A Yes and No answer applies here depending on each person’s particular medical circumstance along with mind/body reaction/symptoms manifesting from overall personal addiction recovery journey.

Remember–there exists no easy cure-all solution regarding opiate abuse disorder aside comprehensive treatment plan developed involving therapy support groups medications/traditional programs.

Conclusion

Both Sublocade and Suboxone relate in their primary function combating opioid addiction, yet differential exists too large extent regarding how each works. The former offers patients a monthly—shot — while the latter is taken orally either sublingually or buccally as strips (and daily).

While both medications have few notable downsides–like potential of patient burnout from more frequent dosages–contrary effects can potentially harm mental health over extended periods leading to even worse stage dependent on multiple factors before making informed decisions!