Sublocade vs. Suboxone: Monthly Injection vs. Daily Film
Sublocade and Suboxone share the same main medicine: buprenorphine. The difference is how it is delivered. That changes daily life, access and some safety details.
Written by Benjamin Zohar, NCACIP · Edited by Ezra Zohar, M.S. Ed. · Published · Updated · Medically reviewed by Brandon McNally, RN on
Quick answer
Suboxone is a film placed under the tongue or inside the cheek, usually taken daily. It combines buprenorphine with naloxone. Sublocade is a monthly injection of buprenorphine alone, given by a healthcare professional. Many people start on daily buprenorphine before moving to Sublocade.
- Same core medicine (buprenorphine), different delivery.
- Suboxone adds naloxone to discourage injection misuse.
- Sublocade removes daily dosing and take-home supply.
- Sublocade is only given in certified healthcare settings.
Sublocade vs. Suboxone at a glance
| Feature | Sublocade | Suboxone |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Buprenorphine only | Buprenorphine + naloxone |
| Form | Subcutaneous injection | Sublingual or buccal film |
| How often | Monthly | Usually daily |
| Who gives it | Healthcare professional only | Patient, at home |
| Take-home supply | None | Yes |
| Main trade-off | Clinic visits; injection-site reactions | Daily routine; missed doses possible |
Based on current FDA prescribing information. Labels change; your prescriber follows the latest version.
Why the delivery method matters
With daily Suboxone, levels rise and fall through the day. Missed doses can bring back cravings or withdrawal. Sublocade releases buprenorphine slowly over the month.
Some people like the control of daily dosing. Others prefer not having medication at home. Both preferences are valid.
The role of naloxone
Naloxone in Suboxone is poorly absorbed under the tongue. It is included to discourage injecting the film. Sublocade does not need naloxone because patients never handle it.
Getting prescribed
Since 2023, the federal "X-waiver" is no longer required. Any prescriber with a current DEA registration for Schedule III can prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.
Sublocade also requires a certified pharmacy and healthcare setting under an FDA safety program. Fewer offices on Long Island offer it than daily buprenorphine.
Side effects
Both can cause constipation, nausea and headache. Sublocade can also cause pain, itching or a lump at the injection site. Mixing either with benzodiazepines or alcohol raises overdose risk.
Side effects and safety
- Both contain buprenorphine. Mixing either with benzodiazepines, alcohol or other sedatives raises the risk of dangerous breathing problems (FDA labels).
- Suboxone films are kept at home, so safe storage away from children matters. Sublocade has no take-home supply.
- Sublocade can cause pain, itching or a firm lump at the injection site. The lump can last for weeks and should not be rubbed.
- Common side effects for both include constipation, nausea and headache.
Questions about switching to ask a clinician
Switching between these medications should only be planned with a prescriber. These questions can help that conversation.
- Am I stable enough on my current daily dose to consider a monthly injection?
- How would the first Sublocade dose be timed around my last film?
- Can I keep a few films for the first weeks if cravings come back?
- What happens if I want to go back to daily films later?
Insurance and access
- Daily buprenorphine is prescribed in many primary care and addiction offices. Fewer offices give Sublocade, because it requires a certified setting.
- Ask whether the office stocks Sublocade or orders it through a specialty pharmacy, and how long that takes.
- Many plans cover generic films with fewer steps than injectables. Ask about prior authorization before your first injection visit.
Finding care on Long Island
Across Nassau and Suffolk counties, office-based buprenorphine prescribers are more common than clinics offering injectables. Methadone for opioid use disorder is only available through certified opioid treatment programs.
- Ask directly: "Do you offer Sublocade and Suboxone, and do you keep them in stock?"
- First visit: ask what the assessment includes and how soon medication can start.
- Insurance: call the number on your card and ask about prior authorization before the first dose.
- Scheduling: ask how often visits happen in the first month and later.
- Continuity: ask who to call between visits, and what happens if you move or change plans.
New York State lists certified programs through the OASAS provider directory.
Appointment checklist
Bring these to your first visit:
- A list of every medicine and supplement you take, including doses.
- Your recent substance use, including the last time you used opioids.
- Your insurance card and any prior authorization paperwork.
- Questions about the schedule, side effects and what to do if you miss a visit.
- Contact details for any other doctors involved in your care.
Evidence and uncertainty
FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder are strongly supported by research, according to NIDA. Direct head-to-head trials between specific long-acting products are limited. Choices depend on history, goals, other health conditions and access.
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Call 844-338-6969Sources and editorial information
- FDA: Sublocade (buprenorphine extended-release) prescribing information
- FDA: Information about Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)
- DEA Diversion Control: Elimination of the DATA-Waiver requirement
- NIH StatPearls: Buprenorphine
- NIDA: Medications to Treat Opioid Use Disorder research report
Written by Benjamin Zohar, NCACIP, and edited by Ezra Zohar, M.S. Ed. Medically reviewed by Brandon McNally, RN. See our editorial guidelines.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for education only and is not medical advice. Long Island Rehab Helpline is an independent treatment-navigation resource, not a treatment provider. Talk with a licensed prescriber about your situation.
Questions about medication options?
If you would like help finding licensed providers on Long Island that offer these medications, you can explore MAT options or talk with a treatment navigator at (844) 338-6969.