buprenorphine extended-release injection

Buprenorphine extended-release injection is a long-acting formulation of buprenorphine, a partial mu-opioid receptor agonist and kappa-opioid receptor antagonist, used for the treatment of moderate-to-severe opioid use disorder (OUD). The formulation (specifically the 300 mg/1.5 mL strength) is designed to provide sustained therapeutic plasma levels of buprenorphine over a one-month period following subcutaneous injection. In the context of clinical research led by Pouya Azar, this drug is being evaluated as part of the Symptom-inhibited Naloxone Induction (SINI) protocol. This protocol aims to facilitate a rapid transition for patients from high-potency synthetic opioids (such as fentanyl) to long-acting buprenorphine by using low-dose intravenous naloxone to precipitate mild withdrawal, followed by sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone and a subsequent subcutaneous injection of the extended-release formulation.

Brand names

Sublocade

Other names

BUP-XRlong-acting buprenorphine injectionbuprenorphine ER