Brixadi Doctors in New York: How to Find a Prescriber
A plain-language guide to finding a clinician in New York who can prescribe and give Brixadi, the weekly or monthly buprenorphine injection for opioid use disorder.
Quick answer
In New York, any clinician with a Schedule III DEA registration can prescribe Brixadi. The old X-waiver is gone.
Brixadi is not a take-home script. A provider must give the shot in a clinic enrolled in the FDA's REMS program. Ask a primary care, addiction medicine, or OASAS-certified program whether they offer it.
What Brixadi is
Brixadi is an extended-release form of buprenorphine. It is injected under the skin and releases medicine slowly over a week or a month. The FDA approved it in May 2023 for moderate to severe opioid use disorder.
For full details on doses and injection sites, see our Brixadi treatment guide.
Who can prescribe Brixadi in NY
Since 2023, clinicians no longer need a special waiver to prescribe buprenorphine. A current DEA registration for Schedule III drugs is enough. In New York, this can include physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
Brixadi has an extra rule. It is sold only to healthcare settings certified in the Brixadi REMS program. That means the clinic must order, store, and give the shot itself. You cannot fill it at a regular pharmacy and take it home.
Where Brixadi prescribers work
| Setting | Good to know | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Primary care practice | Ongoing care in one place; many now offer buprenorphine. | Ask if they stock and give extended-release injections. |
| Addiction medicine clinic | Specialists in opioid use disorder. | Often most familiar with starting and switching medications. |
| Psychiatry practice | Helpful when depression, anxiety, or other conditions co-occur. | Confirm they give injections on site. |
| OASAS-certified program | State-certified; counseling plus medication. | Search FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov by county. |
| Hospital bridge clinic | Short-term start after an ER visit or hospital stay. | Ask about the hand-off to a long-term prescriber. |
What the first visit looks like
- Assessment. The clinician reviews your opioid use, health history, and other medicines.
- Starting buprenorphine. If you are new to it, the FDA label calls for a small test dose of buprenorphine first.
- Switching from Suboxone. People on daily buprenorphine may move straight to Brixadi. The dose depends on your current daily amount.
- Choosing a schedule. Many start weekly, then move to monthly once stable.
- Follow-up. Expect regular visits for injections and check-ins. Counseling is often recommended.
Comparing options? Read Brixadi vs. Suboxone and Brixadi vs. Vivitrol.
Cost and insurance coverage
Brixadi is billed as a medical injection, so coverage can work differently from a pill or film. NY Medicaid covers medications for opioid use disorder. Medicare, commercial plans, and NYSHIP may also cover it, sometimes with prior authorization.
Rules change and differ by plan. Call the number on your insurance card, or see NYSHIP coverage and our insurance guide.
Finding Brixadi on Long Island and across NY
Nassau County and Suffolk County have primary care practices, hospital clinics, and OASAS-certified programs that offer buprenorphine. Not every site gives injections, so call ahead.
- Search certified programs at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov.
- Call the NYS HOPEline at 1-877-846-7369 (24/7, free).
- Learn about local options in Nassau County and Suffolk County, or read about medication-assisted treatment.
Questions to ask a prescriber
- Do you give Brixadi on site, and are you set up for the REMS program?
- Do you offer weekly dosing, monthly dosing, or both?
- How do you start someone new to buprenorphine? How do you switch someone from Suboxone?
- Do you accept my insurance or NY Medicaid plan? Is prior authorization needed?
- Is counseling included, or will you refer me?
- What happens if I miss a scheduled injection?
- How soon can I get a first appointment?
Safety information
Brixadi carries an FDA boxed warning. It can cause serious harm or death if injected into a vein, because it forms a solid mass under the skin. That is why only providers give it.
Common side effects include injection-site pain, redness, or swelling, plus headache, constipation, and nausea. Mixing buprenorphine with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other sedatives raises overdose risk. Tell your clinician about every medicine you take.
Evidence and what's still uncertain
A large clinical trial found the weekly and monthly injection worked as well as daily buprenorphine-naloxone for reducing opioid use. Buprenorphine in general lowers overdose risk when people stay in treatment.
Brixadi is still fairly new. Long-term real-world data is limited, and how many NY clinics offer it changes often. Confirm availability directly before your visit.
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Call 844-338-6969Medical References & Sources
This page contains information sourced from peer-reviewed medical literature, federal health agencies, and accredited medical institutions to ensure accuracy and compliance with E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) standards.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "BRIXADI (buprenorphine) extended-release injection — Prescribing Information." FDA Drugs@FDA, 2023. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=BasicSearch.process
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "FDA approves new buprenorphine treatment option for opioid use disorder (May 23, 2023)." FDA News Release, 2023. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-buprenorphine-treatment-option-opioid-use-disorder
- Drug Enforcement Administration, Diversion Control Division. "Elimination of the DATA-Waiver Program." DEA, 2023. Available at: https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/docs/A-23-0020-Dear-Registrant-Letter-Signed.pdf
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). "Medications for Opioid Use Disorder." NIDA, 2024. Available at: https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/medications-opioid-use-disorder
- Lofwall MR, Walsh SL, Nunes EV, et al.. "Weekly and monthly subcutaneous buprenorphine depot formulations vs daily sublingual buprenorphine with naloxone for treatment of opioid use disorder: a randomized clinical trial." JAMA Internal Medicine, 2018. Available at: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2680509
- New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). "Find Addiction Treatment." NYS OASAS, 2026. Available at: https://findaddictiontreatment.ny.gov/
Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. This page does not provide medical diagnoses, treatment prescriptions, or clinical recommendations. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals for diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
This content was written by certified addiction professionals and reviewed by licensed medical practitioners to ensure accuracy and adherence to current clinical guidelines. Last fact-checked: October 8, 2026.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, you can reach our 24/7 confidential Long Island Rehab Helpline at 844-338-6969 for free, confidential information and treatment referral.
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Medical disclaimer: This page is educational and is not medical advice. It does not create a provider-patient relationship. Long Island Rehab Helpline is an independent treatment-navigation resource, not a treatment facility, and does not prescribe medication. For personal medical guidance, consult a licensed clinician. In an emergency, call 911.