The Sublocade Shot Keeps Working Even When You Miss Your Appointment by Two Weeks
A once-monthly injection that maintains therapeutic buprenorphine levels even if your dose is one to two weeks late. That single pharmacological feature of Sublocade, the extended-release buprenorphine shot for opioid use disorder, may explain why it performs as well or better than the daily pills and films that millions of people struggle to take consistently. In long-term trials, roughly 60 to 76% of people on the shot were abstinent at 12 months, and about half remained in treatment, a retention rate that stands out in addiction medicine. But the numbers don't capture the full picture. Research also reveals distinct subgroups among people on Sublocade: some achieve complete, sustained abstinence with major health improvements, while others stop using opioids but continue using cocaine or benzodiazepines. A smaller group keeps using some opioids despite treatment. The shot is effective, but it's not a single solution that works identically for everyone.