Remembering to take a film or tablet at the scheduled time can be taxing for some patients who lead busy lives on their healing journey. Fortunately, at AppleGate Recovery, Sublocade brings a different approach to OUD recovery.
Sublocade is the first FDA-approved once-monthly buprenorphine extended-release medication that treats moderate-to-severe OUD. With Sublocade, there is no daily medication. Instead, patients receive a single monthly injection that provides continuous treatment for 30 days.
Sublocade allows patients to focus less on medication management and more on rebuilding long-term stability in their lives.
Moving to Extended Release
Monthly extended-release medication for Sublocade can not start immediately. Patients must first complete the lead-in period. Here, they are stabilized on a film or tablet form of buprenorphine medication, such as Suboxone, for at least 7 days.
This medication helps the body adjust to buprenorphine and ensures it works effectively.
Once stabilized, patients can move to Sublocade, which delivers buprenorphine through a once-monthly extended-release medication administered in the clinic.
Typical Sublocade Dosing Schedule
Treatment usually begins with:
- Monthly extended-release medication are administered every 28 days
- An initial stabilization period followed by maintenance dosing
- Regular check-ins with your provider to monitor progress
What to Expect During Your Appointment
Receiving Sublocade is a straightforward in-office procedure:
- We give the extended-release medication in your abdominal area.
- The entire process usually takes only a few minutes.
- You may notice a small bump under the skin at the injection site.
- As the medication is absorbed, the bump gradually becomes less noticeable.
How Sublocade Works
Sublocade is a liquid medicine we inject under the skin. There, it forms a small solid depot. Over the next 30 days, this depot slowly releases buprenorphine into the bloodstream.
Maintaining a Steady State
Sublocade maintains a steady concentration of buprenorphine in the body.
When your body experiences a steady state of medical concentration, you experience:
- Reduced cravings
- No withdrawal symptoms
- Stable mood and energy level
- A smoother, consistent recovery experience
Key Benefits for Your Lifestyle
Sublocade is known for simplifying treatment and supporting everyday stability during OUD recovery.
Consistency
If you take daily medications, just one missed dose in your routine can lead to fluctuating symptoms.
With Sublocade, treatment is consistent for the entire month. This entirely eliminates the burden of remembering to take a dose or where you placed your medication.
Discretion
When you don’t have to store or manage daily films or tablets, you can experience the total privacy of recovery through Sublocade.
Our specialists privately administer your medication during your appointment, where it works continuously for the next 30 days.
Safety
When patients don’t have to store medicine at home, there is no risk of accidental ingestion by children or pets. Our monthly appointments at AppleGate Recovery get you your medication discreetly and safely, and let you enjoy the rest of your month!
Stability That Supports Relationships
Consistency in treatment often leads to more predictable routines and improved communication with loved ones. As stability increases, many patients find it easier to rebuild trust and reconnect with family and friends.
Is an Extended-Release Medication Option Right for You?
Extended-release treatments can be a strong next step for many patients, but they are not the starting point for everyone.
Most patients begin with daily buprenorphine treatment for 7 days. This period stabilizes patients before transitioning to an extended-release option. This ensures the medication is effective and well-tolerated.
It is also important to know that all extended-release medications are administered by trained medical professionals.
We aren’t here to rush the process but to find an approach that best supports your long-term stability.
Start Your 30-Day Approach to Recovery With AppleGate Recovery
Sublocade’s monthly extended-release medication lets patients focus less on managing medication and more on rebuilding their lives.
If you are interested in learning whether Sublocade may be right for your treatment plan, our team is here to help.
At AppleGate Recovery, we specialize in helping patients overcome OUD with specialized non-addictive treatments that help them reach their recovery goals.
If you are ready to take the next steps in recovery with Sublocade, contact us today to speak with our medical professionals and schedule an appointment.