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SUBLOCADE® delivers continuous and long-lasting plasma levels all month1,4-6

On Day 1,* SUBLOCADE helped patients achieve buprenorphine plasma levels of 2+ ng/mL6

  • With both
    rapid initiation
    The first 300-mg SUBLOCADE injection given on Day 1 after a dose of 4 mg TM BUP, for tolerability. 88% of patients did not require additional TM BUP on Day 11,6
    on Day 1 and
    standard induction
    The first 300-mg SUBLOCADE injection, given following ≥7 days of TM BUP1
    , average buprenorphine plasma levels were >2 ng/mL at first measurement (2 hours post-injection)6
  • Before the second injection, given as early as Day 8 in most patients, average plasma levels were 1.78 and 1.76 ng/mL in the rapid initiation and standard induction arms, respectively6

*First SUBLOCADE injection given after a dose of TM BUP (4 mg), for tolerability.1

First SUBLOCADE injection given after ≥7 days of TM BUP.1

Average Buprenorphine Plasma Levels 2 Hours After the First 300‑mg SUBLOCADE Injection6
Average buprenorphine plasma levels 2 hours after the first SUBLOCADE injection: 3.16 ng/mL with rapid initiation; 2.53 ng/mL with standard induction
  • With both
    rapid initiation
    The first 300-mg SUBLOCADE injection given on Day 1 after a dose of 4 mg TM BUP, for tolerability. 88% of patients did not require additional TM BUP on Day 11,6
    on Day 1 and
    standard induction
    The first 300-mg SUBLOCADE injection, given following ≥7 days of TM BUP1
    , average buprenorphine plasma levels were >2 ng/mL at first measurement (2 hours post-injection)6
  • Before the second injection, given as early as Day 8 in most patients, average plasma levels were 1.78 and 1.76 ng/mL in the rapid initiation and standard induction arms, respectively6

*First SUBLOCADE injection given after a dose of TM BUP (4 mg), for tolerability.1

First SUBLOCADE injection given after ≥7 days of TM BUP.1

Administering the second 300-mg SUBLOCADE dose on Day 8 may help reach and maintain plasma levels of 2+ ng/mL earlier than giving it at Day 296

Data based on PK simulation.6

Pharmacokinetic Simulation of Buprenorphine Plasma Levels Based on the Timing of SUBLOCADE Dose 2: Accelerated Dosing at 1 Week vs 4 Weeks After the First Injection6
Dose 2 administered at day 8Dose 2 administered at day 29

Plasma concentrations were simulated for the 300 mg/100 mg dosing regimen following 1 week of TM BUP (16 mg/day), with the second dose of SUBLOCADE received at 1 week (Day 8) or 4 weeks (Day 29) after the first dose.6

Pharmacokinetic simulations were conducted using the referenced population pharmacokinetic model for SUBLOCADE.6

  • Simulated concentrations were summarized by the median (solid lines) and 90% prediction interval (shaded areas) at each time point
  • Simulated data depicted through Week 16 after the first dose (17 weeks total) and 4 SUBLOCADE doses (two 300‑mg doses, followed by two 100‑mg doses)
  • Observed plasma levels measured after Injection 2 from patients in the rapid induction study (data not shown) were consistent with the simulated plasma levels*

*In the rapid induction substudy, the second SUBLOCADE injection was typically given 7 days after the first injection, but dosing time varied between 4 to 28 days; 1 participant received the second injection 67 days after the first injection. Observed data from the study was reported through Day 36 (two 300‑mg SUBLOCADE doses).6

Pharmacokinetic simulations were conducted using the referenced population pharmacokinetic model for SUBLOCADE.6

  • Simulated concentrations were summarized by the median (solid lines) and 90% prediction interval (shaded areas) at each time point
  • Simulated data depicted through Week 16 after the first dose (17 weeks total) and 4 SUBLOCADE doses (two 300‑mg doses, followed by two 100‑mg doses)
  • Observed plasma levels measured after Injection 2 from patients in the rapid induction study (data not shown) were consistent with the simulated plasma levels*

*In the rapid induction substudy, the second SUBLOCADE injection was typically given 7 days after the first injection, but dosing time varied between 4 to 28 days; 1 participant received the second injection 67 days after the first injection. Observed data from the study was reported through Day 36 (two 300‑mg SUBLOCADE doses).6

PK=pharmacokinetic; TM BUP=transmucosal buprenorphine.

A peak occurred around 24 hours, the first measurement post injection, then slowly decreased to a plateau around 2 ng/mL for the first injection and 3 ng/mL for the second injection1,3

Mean Buprenorphine Levels During TM BUP Induction, Dose‑Stabilization, and After the First 2 Injections of SUBLOCADE3
Mean buprenorphine levels during transmucosal buprenorphine (TM-BUP) dose-stabilization and after the first two injections of SUBLOCADE graph

TM BUP=transmucosal buprenorphine.

INDICATION

SUBLOCADE is for moderate to severe opioid use disorder in those who have initiated treatment with a dose of transmucosal buprenorphine or are being treated with buprenorphine and should include counseling and psychosocial support.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: RISK OF SERIOUS HARM OR DEATH WITH INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION; SUBLOCADE RISK EVALUATION AND MITIGATION STRATEGY

  • Serious harm or death could result if administered intravenously. SUBLOCADE forms a solid mass upon contact with body fluids and may cause occlusion, local tissue damage, and thrombo-embolic events, including life threatening pulmonary emboli, if administered intravenously.
  • Because of the risk of serious harm or death that could result from intravenous self-administration, SUBLOCADE is only available through a restricted program called the SUBLOCADE REMS Program. Healthcare settings and pharmacies that order and dispense SUBLOCADE must be certified in this program and comply with the REMS requirements.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: SUBLOCADE should not be administered to patients who are hypersensitive to buprenorphine or any component of the delivery system.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse: SUBLOCADE contains buprenorphine, a Schedule III controlled substance that can be abused in a manner similar to other opioids. Buprenorphine is sought by people with opioid use disorder and is subject to criminal diversion. Monitor patients for conditions indicative of diversion or progression of opioid dependence and addictive behaviors.

Risk of Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression and Concomitant Use of Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants with Buprenorphine: Buprenorphine has been associated with life-threatening respiratory depression, overdose, and death, particularly when misused by self-injection or with concomitant use of benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants (e.g., alcohol, non‑benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids [gabapentin or pregabalin], and other opioids). Warn patients of the potential danger of self-administration of benzodiazepines, other CNS depressants, opioid analgesics, and alcohol while under treatment with SUBLOCADE. Counsel patients that such medications should not be used concomitantly unless supervised by a healthcare provider.

Use with caution in patients with compromised respiratory function (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cor pulmonale, decreased respiratory reserve, hypoxia, hypercapnia, or pre-existing respiratory depression).

Opioids can cause sleep-related breathing disorders, e.g., central sleep apnea (CSA), sleep-related hypoxemia. Opioid use increases the risk of CSA in a dose-dependent fashion. Consider decreasing the opioid using best practices for opioid taper if CSA occurs.

Strongly consider recommending or prescribing an opioid overdose reversal agent (e.g., naloxone, nalmefene) at the time SUBLOCADE is initiated or renewed because patients being treated for opioid use disorder have the potential for relapse, putting them at risk for opioid overdose. Educate patients and caregivers on how to recognize respiratory depression and, if a reversal agent is recommended or prescribed, how to treat an opioid overdose. Emphasize the importance of calling 911 or getting emergency help, even if an opioid overdose reversal agent is administered.

Risk of Serious Injection Site Reactions: The most common injection site reactions are pain, erythema and pruritus with some involving abscess, ulceration, and necrosis. Some cases resulted in surgical depot removal, debridement, antibiotic administration, and SUBLOCADE discontinuation. The likelihood of serious injection site reactions may increase with inadvertent intramuscular or intradermal administration. Carefully review injection technique.

Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome: Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) is an expected and treatable outcome of prolonged use of opioids during pregnancy. NOWS may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated in the neonate. Newborns should be observed for signs of NOWS and managed accordingly. Advise pregnant women receiving opioid addiction treatment with SUBLOCADE of the risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome.

Adrenal Insufficiency: Adrenal insufficiency has been reported with opioid use. If adrenal insufficiency is diagnosed, treat with physiologic replacement doses of corticosteroids. Wean the patient off the opioid.

Discontinuation of SUBLOCADE Treatment: Due to the long-acting nature of SUBLOCADE, if treatment is discontinued, monitor patients for several months for withdrawal and treat appropriately.

Inform patients that they may have detectable levels of buprenorphine for a prolonged period of time after treatment with SUBLOCADE. Considerations of drug-drug interactions, buprenorphine effects, and analgesia may continue to be relevant for several months after the last injection.

Risk of Hepatitis, Hepatic Events: Because cases of cytolytic hepatitis and hepatitis with jaundice have been observed in individuals receiving buprenorphine, monitor liver function tests prior to treatment and monthly during treatment.

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Hypersensitivity to buprenorphine-containing products have been reported most commonly as rashes, hives, and pruritus. Some cases of bronchospasm, angioneurotic edema, and anaphylactic shock have also been reported.

Precipitation of Opioid Withdrawal in Patients Dependent on Full Agonist Opioids: Buprenorphine may precipitate opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms in persons who are currently physically dependent on full opioid agonists if administered before the effects have subsided, at least 6 hours for short-acting opioids and 24 hours for long-acting opioids. Verify that patients have tolerated transmucosal buprenorphine before administering the first injection of SUBLOCADE.

Risks Associated With Treatment of Emergent Acute Pain: When patients need acute pain management, or may require anesthesia, treat patients receiving SUBLOCADE currently or within the last 6 months with a non-opioid analgesic whenever possible. If opioid therapy is required, patients may be treated with a high-affinity full opioid analgesic under the supervision of a physician, with particular attention to respiratory function, as higher doses may be required for analgesic effect and therefore, a higher potential for toxicity exists with opioid administration.

Advise patients of the importance of instructing their family members, in the event of emergency, to inform the treating healthcare provider or emergency room staff that the patient is physically dependent on an opioid and that the patient is being treated with SUBLOCADE.

Use in Opioid Naïve Patients: Because death has been reported for opioid naïve individuals who received buprenorphine sublingual tablet, SUBLOCADE is not appropriate for use in opioid naïve patients.

Use in Patients With Impaired Hepatic Function: Because buprenorphine levels cannot be rapidly decreased, SUBLOCADE is not recommended for patients with pre-existing moderate to severe hepatic impairment. Patients who develop moderate to severe hepatic impairment while being treated with SUBLOCADE should be monitored for several months for signs and symptoms of toxicity or overdose caused by increased levels of buprenorphine.

QTc Prolongation: QT studies with buprenorphine products have demonstrated QT prolongation ≤ 15 msec. Buprenorphine is unlikely to be pro-arrhythmic when used alone in patients without risk factors. The risk of combining buprenorphine with other QT-prolonging agents is not known. Consider these observations when prescribing SUBLOCADE to patients with risk factors such as hypokalemia, bradycardia, recent conversion from atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, digitalis therapy, baseline QT prolongation, subclinical long-QT syndrome, or severe hypomagnesemia.

Impairment of Ability to Drive or Operate Machinery: SUBLOCADE may impair the mental or physical abilities required for the performance of potentially dangerous tasks such as driving a car or operating machinery. Caution patients about driving or operating hazardous machinery until they are reasonably certain that SUBLOCADE does not adversely affect their ability to engage in such activities.

Orthostatic Hypotension: Buprenorphine may produce orthostatic hypotension.

Elevation of Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure: Buprenorphine may elevate cerebrospinal fluid pressure and should be used with caution in patients with head injury, intracranial lesions, and other circumstances when cerebrospinal pressure may be increased. Buprenorphine can produce miosis and changes in the level of consciousness that may interfere with patient evaluation.

Elevation of Intracholedochal Pressure: Buprenorphine has been shown to increase intracholedochal pressure, as do other opioids, and thus should be administered with caution to patients with dysfunction of the biliary tract.

Effects in Acute Abdominal Conditions: Buprenorphine may obscure the diagnosis or clinical course of patients with acute abdominal conditions.

Unintentional Pediatric Exposure: Buprenorphine can cause severe, possibly fatal, respiratory depression in children who are accidentally exposed to it.

ADVERSE REACTIONS: Adverse reactions commonly associated with SUBLOCADE (≥5% of subjects) during clinical trials were constipation, headache, nausea, vomiting, increased hepatic enzymes, fatigue, and injection site pain and pruritus. This is not a complete list of potential adverse events. Please see the full Prescribing Information for a complete list.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

CYP3A4 Inhibitors and Inducers: Monitor patients starting or ending CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers for potential over- or under-dosing.

Serotonergic Drugs: If concomitant use with serotonergic drugs is warranted, monitor for serotonin syndrome, particularly during treatment initiation, and during dose adjustment of the serotonergic drug.

Consult the full Prescribing Information for SUBLOCADE for more information on potentially significant drug interactions.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Pregnancy: Opioid-dependent women on buprenorphine maintenance therapy may require additional analgesia during labor.

Lactation: Buprenorphine passes into the mother's milk. Advise breastfeeding women to monitor the infant for increased drowsiness and breathing difficulties.

Fertility: Chronic use of opioids may cause reduced fertility. It is not known whether these effects on fertility are reversible.

Geriatric Patients: Monitor geriatric patients receiving SUBLOCADE for sedation or respiratory depression.

To report a pregnancy or side effects associated with taking SUBLOCADE or any safety related information, product complaint, request for medical information, or product query, please contact PatientSafetyNA@indivior.com or 1-877-782-6966.

See full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning, and Medication Guide. For REMS information visit www.sublocadeREMS.com.

References: 1SUBLOCADE [prescribing information]. North Chesterfield, VA: Indivior Inc. 2The ASAM National Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: 2020 Focused Update [published correction appears in J Addict Med. 2020;14(3):267]. J Addict Med. 2020;14(2S Suppl 1):1‑91. doi:10.1097/​ADM.0000000000000633 3Laffont CM, Ngaimisi E, Gopalakrishnan M, et al. Buprenorphine exposure levels to optimize treatment outcomes in opioid use disorder. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:1052113. doi:10.3389/​fphar.2022.1052113 4Jones AK, Ngaimisi E, Gopalakrishnan M, Young MA, Laffont CM. Population pharmacokinetics of a monthly buprenorphine depot injection for the treatment of opioid use disorder: a combined analysis of Phase II and Phase III trials. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2021;60(4):527‑540. doi:10.1007/​s40262‑020‑00957‑0 5Nasser AF, Heidbreder C, Gomeni R, Fudala PJ, Zheng B, Greenwald MK. A population pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modelling approach to support the clinical development of RBP‑6000, a new, subcutaneously injectable, long‑acting, sustained‑release formulation of buprenorphine, for the treatment of opioid dependence. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2014;53(9):813‑824. doi:10.1007/​s40262‑014‑0155‑0 6Data on file. Indivior Inc. North Chesterfield, VA. 7Nasser AF, Greenwald MK, Vince B, et al. Sustained‑release buprenorphine (RBP‑6000) blocks the effects of opioid challenge with hydromorphone in subjects with opioid use disorder. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2016;36(1):18‑26. doi:10.1097/​JCP.0000000000000434 8Nasser AF, Greenwald MK, Vince B, et al. Sustained‑release buprenorphine (RBP‑6000) blocks the effects of opioid challenge with hydromorphone in subjects with opioid use disorder. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2016;36(1)(suppl):1‑7. doi:10.1097/​JCP.0000000000000434

P-BAG-US-01757v2 Oct 2025

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P-BAG-US-01755v2 Mar 2026