Monthly Buprenorphine Injections (Sublocade® & Brixadi®): What to Expect

For individuals living with opioid use disorder (OUD), Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the gold standard of care. In recent years, long-acting injectable buprenorphine has become an important option for patients seeking effective, discreet, and evidence-based treatment. Two FDA-approved options—Sublocade® and Brixadi®—offer extended buprenorphine delivery without the need for daily medication.

This article explains how monthly buprenorphine injections work, what patients can expect, and why this treatment is supported by leading addiction medicine experts.

Why Buprenorphine Is Effective for Opioid Use Disorder

Decades of research have shown that opioid use disorder is a chronic brain-based medical condition, not a failure of willpower. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), medications like buprenorphine significantly reduce overdose risk, cravings, and relapse while improving retention in treatment.

Neuroscience research led by experts such as Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and Dr. George Koob, Director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), has demonstrated that repeated opioid exposure alters brain circuits related to reward, stress, and self-control. Buprenorphine helps stabilize these circuits, allowing patients to function normally and focus on recovery.

What Are Monthly Buprenorphine Injections?

Sublocade® and Brixadi® are long-acting formulations of buprenorphine administered as subcutaneous injections by a medical provider.

• Sublocade® is given once monthly

• Brixadi® is available in weekly or monthly formulations

These medications slowly release buprenorphine over time, maintaining consistent levels in the body without the daily ups and downs of oral dosing.

What to Expect When Starting Injectable Buprenorphine

Before starting Sublocade® or Brixadi®, patients are typically stabilized on oral buprenorphine. Once appropriate, the transition to injections is straightforward.

Patients can expect:

• An in-office injection administered by a clinician

• No daily pills or films to remember

• Reduced risk of missed doses or medication diversion

• Stable control of cravings and withdrawal symptoms

Most patients tolerate injections well, with mild and temporary injection-site discomfort being the most common side effect.

• Benefits of Monthly Buprenorphine Injections

  Long-acting buprenorphine offers several advantages:

  • Consistent medication levels

  • Improved privacy and discretion

  • Reduced daily reminders of illness

  • Strong protection against overdose

  • Greater freedom to focus on work, family, and recovery

  For many patients, these benefits translate into better quality of life and sustained engagement in treatment.

  ---

  Is Long-Acting Buprenorphine Right for Everyone?

  Not every patient needs or wants injectable treatment. ASAM emphasizes that treatment should be individualized, based on medical history, preferences, and recovery goals. Some patients prefer daily medication, while others benefit from long-acting options.

  A board-certified addiction medicine physician can help determine whether Sublocade® or Brixadi® is an appropriate choice.

  ---

  A Patient-Centered Approach at Acorn Health & Recovery

  At Acorn Health & Recovery, we view opioid use disorder through a medical and compassionate lens. Our approach is grounded in evidence-based care, respect, and individualized treatment planning. Long-acting injectable buprenorphine is one of several tools we may use to support long-term recovery and stability.

  ---

  Moving Forward in Recovery

  Monthly buprenorphine injections are not “trading one addiction for another.” They are effective medical treatment supported by decades of research and leading experts in addiction neuroscience.

  If you are living with opioid use disorder and want to learn whether Sublocade® or Brixadi® may be right for you, help is available. Recovery is possible—with the right treatment and the right support.

• We offer consultations in a private office setting. You will not be judged or pressured. Many professionals enjoy our private setting. We are frequently complimented on how nice the office is compared to other treatment providers.

  ---