Buprenorphine
$55.25
What is Sublocade injection?
What is Sublocade injection? Buprenorphine with Naloxone is used to help relieve severe ongoing pain (such as due to arthritis, chronic back pain). Buprenorphine belongs to a class of drugs known as opioid analgesics. Moreover, Buprenorphine doses work in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain. Sublocade withdrawal symptoms can be based on your medical condition.
The higher strengths of this drug (7.5, 10, 15, or 20 micrograms per hour patches) should be used only if you have been regularly taking moderate amounts of opioid pain medication. These strengths may cause overdose (even death) if used by a person who has not been regularly taking opioids.
Do not use this medication to relieve pain that is mild or that will go away in a few days. This medication is not for occasional (“as needed”) use.
How to use
Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using Buprenorphine with Naloxone and each time you get a refill. Learn how to properly use, store, and discard the patches. If you have any questions about what is Sublocade injection? ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Use Buprenorphine doses on a regular schedule as directed by your doctor, not as needed for sudden (breakthrough) pain.
- If you are already using opioid medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you should stop or change how you use your other opioid medication.
- It may take 24 hours or longer before you have pain relief from buprenorphine patches.
- Other pain relievers (such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen) may also be prescribed
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using buprenorphine safely with other drugs.
How to apply on skin
- Apply this medication to the skin as directed by your doctor.
- Do not apply on burns, cuts, irritated skin, or skin that has been exposed to radiation (x-ray treatment).
- Select a dry, non-hairy area on a flat part of your body, such as the upper chest, sides of the chest, upper back, or upper outer arms.
- In people unable to think clearly (such as due to dementia), apply the patch on the upper back to lessen the chance it might be removed or placed in the mouth.
- If there is hair on the skin, use scissors to clip the hair as close as possible to the skin.
- Do not shave hair since this might cause skin irritation.
- If needed, use water to clean the area.
- Do not use soap, oils, lotions, or alcohol on the application site.
- Dry the skin well before applying the patch.
The patch is usually changed every 7 days. To avoid irritation, apply to a different area each time and do not apply to the same site within 3 weeks. Be sure to remove the old patch before applying a new patch. The used patch should be folded in half with the sticky sides together and properly discarded. If your manufacturer has supplied a patch disposal unit, follow directions for its use.
Some precautions
Do not use the patch if it appears to be broken, cut, or damaged. Remove from the sealed pouch, peel off the protective liner, and apply right away to the skin. Press firmly in place with the palm of the hand for about 15 to 30 seconds, making sure the contact is complete (especially around the edges). If your prescribed dose is for more than one patch, apply them right next to each other but make sure the edges of the patches do not touch or overlap. After applying the patch, wash your hands with water only.
If you accidentally touch the sticky layer to your skin or handle a cut or damaged patch, wash the area well with clear water. If the patch comes off and accidentally sticks to the skin of another person, immediately remove the patch, wash the area with water, and get medical help for them right away. Do not use soap, alcohol, or other products to wash the area.
Dosage and treatment
Buprenorphine doses are based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Do not apply more patches than directed, change them more frequently, or use them for a longer time than prescribed. Your risk for side effects will increase.
Suddenly stopping this medication may cause withdrawal, especially if you have used it for a long time or in high doses. To prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have any withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, mental/mood changes (including anxiety, trouble sleeping, thoughts of suicide), watering eyes, runny nose, nausea, diarrhea, sweating, muscle aches, or sudden changes in behavior.
When Buprenorphine with Naloxone is used for a long time, it may not work as well. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.
Though it helps many people, this medication may sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Use this medication exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Tell your doctor if your pain does not get better or if it gets worse.
Side effects
- Nausea
- vomiting
- constipation
- lightheadedness
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- dry mouth
- headache
- Irritation
- itching
- redness at the application site may also occur
Some of these side effects may decrease after you have been using this medication for a while. If any of these Sublocade withdrawal effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
To prevent constipation, eat dietary fiber, drink enough water, and exercise. You may also need to take a laxative. Ask your pharmacist which type of laxative is right for you.
To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious Sublocade withdrawal side effects.
Some serious and rare side effects
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including interrupted breathing during sleep (sleep apnea), mental/mood changes (such as agitation, confusion, hallucinations), difficulty urinating, swelling/blistering at the patch application site, signs of your adrenal glands not working well (such as unusual tiredness, weight loss).
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious Sublocade withdrawal effects, including fainting, seizure, slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/difficulty waking up, fast/irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness.
Buprenorphine with Naloxone may rarely cause serious liver disease. Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of liver damage, including dark urine, persistent nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite, yellowing eyes/skin, severe stomach/abdominal pain.
A very serious allergic reaction to Sublocade withdrawal is rare. However, get medical help right away.
Warnings & Precautions
- Before using Buprenorphine with Naloxone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it.
- Before using Buprenorphine doses, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history.
- Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages.
- Buprenorphine may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation).
- Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use.
- Avoid taking hot baths and sunbathing.
- Some patches may contain metals that can cause serious burns during an MRI. Tell your doctor about the products you used.
The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation.
Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/”water pills”) or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using buprenorphine safely.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, especially confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, slow/shallow breathing, and QT prolongation (see above).
During pregnancy, Buprenorphine doses should be used only when clearly needed. It may harm an unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. (See also Warning section.) This drug passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Tell the doctor right away if your baby develops unusual sleepiness, difficulty feeding, or trouble breathing. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not freeze. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. For more details, read the Medication Guide, or consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Drug interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval.