Long-acting injectable buprenorphine is a form of opioid pharmacotherapy given as an injection once a week or once a month, instead of a daily dose at the pharmacy. If you are looking for a buprenorphine injection in Melbourne’s south east, some of our practitioners at Mediclinic in Clayton South provide this treatment as part of our drug and alcohol care.
It is the same medicine as buprenorphine film or tablets. The difference is how it is given, and how long each dose lasts.
What is long-acting injectable buprenorphine?
Buprenorphine is a medicine used to treat opioid dependence. It eases withdrawal symptoms and cravings, so you can feel steady day to day.
With the long-acting form, a small amount of medicine is injected under the skin, usually in the stomach, thigh, buttock or upper arm. It forms a small deposit that slowly releases buprenorphine into your body over a week or a month. Different weekly and monthly products are available in Australia (for example, Buvidal and Sublocade). Your prescriber will talk you through which one may suit you.
Is a buprenorphine injection in Melbourne right for you?
Many people find injections fit more easily into their lives. Possible benefits include:
- no daily trips to the pharmacy for dosing
- more privacy, because there are no daily doses to take or store at home
- more freedom for work, study, family and travel
- steady medicine levels across the week or month
- no take-away doses that could be lost, missed or taken by someone else
There are also things to consider:
- You need to come in for each injection on time, weekly or monthly.
- Some people have pain, redness, swelling or a lump where the injection was given.
- Other side effects are similar to buprenorphine film or tablets, such as headache, constipation, nausea or trouble sleeping.
- Once a dose is given, it can’t be removed. Changing the dose takes longer than with daily medicine.
- Mixing buprenorphine with alcohol, benzodiazepines or other sedating drugs can be dangerous.
Injectable buprenorphine is not right for everyone. Your prescriber will look at your health, your history and your goals, and suitability is always assessed individually. You can talk about switching back to daily film, tablets or methadone if injections don’t suit you.
Who provides it at Mediclinic?
Long-acting injectable buprenorphine is provided by some of our practitioners, including Dr Ernesto Andrada and our AOD Nurse Practitioner, Buddika (Bas). Our team also includes Dr Vivian and Dr Robina Hanafi, who have a special interest in addiction medicine.
Availability for new patients changes over time. Please call reception on (03) 9544 1555 to check current availability for new pharmacotherapy patients.
How starting injections works
Talk to reception
Call (03) 9544 1555 to check availability and book a long appointment. Tell us if you are already on methadone or buprenorphine and who your prescriber is.
Assessment and planning
Your prescriber will ask about your opioid use, your current medicine, your physical and mental health, and your plans. Many people first take buprenorphine film or tablets for a short time to make sure it suits them.
Your first injection
The injection is given by a clinician. You will be asked to stay a short time afterwards so we can check how you feel.
Ongoing injections and reviews
You will come back for your next injection weekly or monthly, depending on your product. Your prescriber will review how you are going and adjust your plan if needed.
Program expectations
Long-acting injections are part of our pharmacotherapy program, so the same rules apply:
- Be seen face to face at least once every 3 months.
- Book your next appointment before you leave each visit.
- Book at least 1 week before your next dose or script is due, so you don’t miss out.
- If you can’t make an appointment, call us as early as possible to rebook.
Mediclinic is a mixed-billing practice. Bulk billing is at the practitioner’s discretion for some eligible patients. See our fees, or ask reception about the costs of your appointments.
Staying safe on treatment
If you miss an injection, call us as soon as you can. Using other opioids on top of buprenorphine, or after a gap in treatment, can increase the risk of overdose. Naloxone can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist about keeping naloxone at home.
If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or have surgery or a hospital stay coming up, tell your prescriber and any treating team that you are on long-acting buprenorphine.
Need help right now?
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department. These free services are available 24 hours a day:
- Lifeline — 13 11 14 (crisis support and suicide prevention)
- DirectLine — 1800 888 236 (alcohol and drug counselling, Victoria)
- Suicide Call Back Service — 1300 659 467
- 13YARN — 13 92 76 (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
Frequently asked questions
How often do I need an injection?
Depending on the product and dose you and your prescriber choose, injections are given either weekly or monthly.
Does the injection hurt?
Most people feel a sting or pressure, similar to other injections. Some have soreness, redness or a small lump at the injection site for a few days. Let us know if it bothers you.
Can I switch from methadone or Suboxone to injections?
Often, yes, but it needs careful planning. Switching from methadone usually takes more steps than switching from buprenorphine film. Your prescriber will explain what is involved for you.
Can I stop the injections later?
Yes. Talk to your prescriber first. Because the medicine leaves your body slowly, stopping is usually more gradual than with daily medicine. Your prescriber can also help you move back to daily doses.
Will I still need to visit a pharmacy?
Usually not for daily dosing. Your injections are given by a clinician. Your prescriber will explain how the medicine is supplied for your injections.
Are you taking new patients for injections?
Please call reception on (03) 9544 1555 to check current availability for new pharmacotherapy patients.
To ask whether long-acting buprenorphine may suit you, call (03) 9544 1555 or speak to your Mediclinic prescriber at your next visit.