Over 10 million Americans suffer from opioid use disorder every year. Thus, discovery and research into innovative treatments has been a large focus for addiction recovery doctors. A newer, innovative treatment, Sublocade injections are highly-effective for OUD, but many people wonder about the specifics of it. Join us as we delve deeper into the finer details of Sublocade and its efficacy.
What is Sublocade?
Sublocade plays a crucial role in MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment), which is a game-changer for people in OUD recovery. Sublocade is a brand name for the prescription drug buprenorphine, a drug that treats opioid dependence. It works by binding to opioid receptors, and as a partial agonist, blocks them. This creates a subdued ceiling effect that decreases cravings for opioids. To learn more about the various forms of AUD and OUD treatment and how they work, read our latest blog post breaking down all these types of medications.
People being treated with sublocade injections are 14 times more likely to see a successful treatment. This means they were 14 times more likely to be opioid-free for 80% of the treatment timeline. Sublocade shots are given once a month with two different doses of 300 mg and 100 mg. Treatment providers and doctors start with 300 mg doses and move to 100 mg doses after about 2 months. The goal is to eventually wean off the medication completely.
If you are curious about Sublocade shots and looking for a doctor to safely administer this OUD treatment, Dr. Watson has 15 years of direct experience treating Opioid Use Disorder. If you are by Norristown, King of Prussia, or Philadelphia, schedule an appointment today with Dr. Watson to learn more.
Efficacy and Retention
Sublocade injections are a very effective OUD treatment. A clinical study found that 28% of people with Sublocade found success compared to 2% of people with placebos. Patients on the medication also remained abstinent for even longer. From week 5 to week 24, the percentage of patients with Sublocade who remained abstinent ranged from 35.1% to 48.5%. This is much higher than the placebo group ranging from 2% to 11.1%.
Sublocade treatment also has very high retention rates. Patient retention is crucial for sustained addiction recovery, as relapse rates can range from 30% to 70% depending on the type of treatment. Sublocade has been shown to yield particular high retention. One study found that 78% of patients on the medication remained in treatment for the entire 6-month study, with significant signs of improvement.
A newer treatment for OUD, Sublocade injections are both effective and yield high patient retention, particularly when part of an MAT program. If you are interested in finding a doctor with ample experience in addiction recovery, sublocade treatment, or even just want to explore other AUD and OUD medications, schedule an appointment with Dr. Watson at one of our facilities in Norristown, Philadelphia, or King of Prussia.
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