Sublocade Program in Sacramento

Sublocade is the first once-monthly extended-release injection form of buprenorphine, providing a sustained level of medication throughout the month. Continuous release of the medication helps avoid the daily ups and downs of oral dosing while blocking the rewarding effects of opioids.

Patients must be dose-stabilized for at least 7 days on at least 8 mg of buprenorphine, with cravings and withdrawal symptoms controlled at the current dose, and without evidence of other opioid use. Sublocade is never dispensed or given directly to the patient; all injections are administered on site by trained medical staff.

Injections are administered once every 28 days on this program. No intakes will be initiated on Sublocade unless the patient is a direct transfer from another program and/or meets dose, stability, and length-of-treatment requirements.

The Sublocade Program may be appropriate for eligible patients who are already stabilized on buprenorphine and would benefit from monthly medication coverage, reduced daily medication responsibility, and structured clinical monitoring.

This program combines medication support with counseling, testing, referral coordination, and recovery planning so patients receive both medical stabilization and behavioral health support.

In summary, Sublocade accomplishes 4 main goals for the patient:

1. 1.Sustained medication coverage through the month
2. 2.Smoother levels than daily oral dosing swings
3. 3.Blocks rewarding effects of opioids
4. 4.On-site injections and clinical monitoring