Sublocade is a monthly injection of buprenorphine used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). It helps patients manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms while focusing on long-term rehabilitation. How Long Does Sublocade Stay In Your System? Understanding Sublocade's pharmacology and half-life is crucial for making informed treatment decisions, especially when testing for drugs or switching to a different medication.
What Is Sublocade?
Sublocade is a monthly subcutaneous injection of buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, by a healthcare provider. It delivers a steady level of buprenorphine into the bloodstream over time, unlike daily doses of Suboxone or other sublingual medications. The active ingredient reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the intense "high" of full opioids like heroin or fentanyl.
How Does Sublocade Work?
Over 28 to 30 days after administration, Sublocade creates a gel-like depot beneath the skin that progressively distributes buprenorphine into the body. Because of its gradual release, it's a great way to stay sober without having to deal with the fluctuations of daily prescription dosage.
Sublocade has a much longer half-life than conventional buprenorphine formulations due to its long-acting nature.
How Long Does Sublocade Stay In Your System?
The short answer is that Sublocade may remain in your body for a few months following your last injection.
The more thorough response is dependent on several variables, including:
Dosage strength (100 mg vs. 300 mg)
Length of time on the medication
Metabolism and body composition
Kidney and liver function
Clinical evidence indicates that Sublocade (buprenorphine) has a half-life of 43–60 days. The half-life of a drug is the time it takes for your body to get rid of half of it. Accordingly, it could take up to four or five half-lives for Sublocade to completely exit your system.
This implies that, particularly if you've been taking Sublocade for a long time, it may stay in your system for six to twelve months following your final injection.
How Is Sublocade Metabolized and Excreted?
The liver uses an enzyme called CYP3A4 to metabolize buprenorphine, which is then excreted from the body through urine and feces. Although Sublocade's effects subside after around one month, the medication itself may remain in trace amounts in your tissues and bloodstream for a considerably longer period.
Will Sublocade Show Up on a Drug Test?
Most drug tests, like immunoassay urine screens, do not detect buprenorphine unless specifically requested, but Sublocade may still be detected in the body as buprenorphine.
Here are some important points:
Standard 5-panel or 10-panel drug tests: Avoid testing for buprenorphine in most cases.
Specialized tests: For several months following the last dosage, buprenorphine can be detected using tests designed specifically for it.
Depending on hair length, hair testing can identify buprenorphine use for up to 90 days or more.
If you're concerned about drug testing for work, legal reasons, or transitioning to a different medication, it's important to talk to your provider about the implications of Sublocade in your system.
What Happens After You Stop Taking Sublocade?
After discontinuing Sublocade injections, buprenorphine levels decrease gradually, but some opioid blockage may persist. A tapering or transition plan is crucial. Many patients switch to sublingual buprenorphine like Suboxone, and some may attempt medication-free recovery with outpatient clinics and therapy. Some patients may be prepared for medication-free recovery.
Factors That Affect How Long Sublocade Stays in Your System
Use Duration: Higher accumulation in tissues is the result of prolonged use.
Dosage Strength: Compared to 100 mg, the 300 mg dose lasts longer.
Metabolism Rate: People who have a quicker metabolism might get rid of the medication sooner.
Body Fat: Since Sublocade is kept in fatty tissue, it may last longer in those with higher body fat percentages.
Liver Function: Buprenorphine breakdown may be slowed by impaired liver function.
What is the duration of Sublocade's presence in your system? The answer varies, but because of Sublocade's long half-life and extended-release formulation, its effects typically remain for several months following your last injection.
You must get advice from a qualified healthcare provider before beginning or discontinuing Sublocade. Your rehabilitation demands assistance, security, and individualized care at every stage, from the first detox to medication-assisted treatment and beyond.