Sublocade® vs. Vivitrol®: How to Determine Which is Best for You
Opioid addiction is a deadly disease that affects people of all ages across the nation. Overdose has become a serious issue in the United States, with nearly 81,000 overdose deaths involving opioids in 2021 alone. Of those deaths, 88% involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Opioids include illegal drugs like heroin and fentanyl alongside prescription pain relievers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine. While many people can take these medications without developing an addiction, as many as 19% of people prescribed opioid pain relievers will develop an addiction. However, with the help of medication-assisted treatment, opioid addiction doesn’t have to destroy families and communities.
Sublocade® and Vivitrol® are both effective medication options for treating opioid dependence. While both medications are available as monthly injections, they include different active ingredients to help minimize cravings and keep individuals in treatment for longer periods of time. When trying to determine which medication is right for you, there are a few critical factors to consider.
What is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) leverages both medication and counseling to treat opioid use disorder and alcohol dependence in a holistic manner. While medication addresses the physical aspects of addiction, counseling and behavioral therapy help patients address the mental aspects and avoid relapse.
MAT medications attack the same opioid receptors as abused opioids, but instead of providing a feeling of euphoria, they help restore balance in the brain and mitigate withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several medications for treating opioid use disorder, including:
Buprenorphine:
Available under brand names such as Brixadi®, Sublocade®, Suboxone®, and Zubsolv®, buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain without producing the full opioid effect, helping to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and cravings without the high opioid misuse provides.
Methadone:
As a full opioid agonist, Methadone works by binding to the same brain receptors as other opioids, but it does so more gradually without causing the euphoria of drugs like heroin. It helps patients manage long-term withdrawal symptoms and is administered under strict supervision by a practitioner.
Naltrexone:
Used in brand-name drugs such as Vivitrol®, naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, blocking the effects of opioids at the receptor sites in the brain. Naltrexone is mainly used to prevent relapse rather than manage withdrawal symptoms and is suitable for patients already detoxified. This medication is available as a pill or as a monthly injection.
Sublocade® Treatment
Sublocade® is a long-acting, injectable form of buprenorphine designed to help individuals with opioid use disorder reduce cravings and maintain stability in their recovery. As a monthly injection (typically administered every 28 to 30 days), Sublocade® provides a steady release of buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist that binds to opioid receptors in the brain and helps reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings without producing the same euphoric effects of illicit opioids. Sublocade® is the injectable counterpart to Suboxone®, another commonly used buprenorphine-based MAT option.
Because it provides a controlled, continuous level of medication over the course of a month, Sublocade® can improve treatment adherence and offer a more convenient option for patients who prefer not to take daily medications. Sublocade® is available in two dosing strengths:
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- 100 mg/0.5mL
- 300 mg/1.5mL
The benefits of Sublocade® treatment range from reduced opioid misuse and lower likelihood of relapse to minimized withdrawal symptoms and enhanced treatment consistency. However, as with any other medication, there may be potential side effects. These may include constipation, nausea, headache, and fatigue.
How is Sublocade® Administered?
Unlike other forms of buprenorphine, Sublocade® is administered once a month by a healthcare professional in a clinical setting. The injection typically occurs every 28 days, but a minimum of 26 days is required between doses. Sublocade® is only available through a prescription specifically to treat opioid use disorder.
For those looking for more cost-effective options, Suboxone® is another type of buprenorphine medication that is taken as a daily pill or sublingual tablet. However, all forms of buprenorphine must be prescribed by a doctor.
Vivitrol® Treatment
Vivitrol® is an extended-release form of naltrexone that is both non-addictive and effective in blocking the euphoric effects of illicit opioids. Unlike Sublocade®, Vivitrol® is an opioid antagonist, meaning that it completely occupies opioid receptors in the brain. However, this also means that Vivitrol® cannot mitigate withdrawal symptoms like Sublocade®.
Because Vivitrol® completely blocks opioid receptors, patients using the medication cannot experience the euphoric effects of illicit opioids, helping to reduce relapse potential and keep patients in treatment. This medication is typically offered to patients coming out of an inpatient program and looking to continue treatment, as it helps patients achieve a more complete recovery.
While Vivitrol® is a highly effective MAT option, like other medications, there are potential side effects to be aware of, such as nausea and vomiting, sleepiness, headache, and decreased appetite.
How is Vivitrol® Administered?
Vivitrol® is a name-brand naltrexone medication that is only available via monthly injection. The injection must be administered in an office setting by a healthcare professional and typically occurs every four weeks. Like Sublocade®, Vivitrol® is also available in generic forms that can be administered through a pill. However, naltrexone pills are not extended-release medications and must be taken daily to work as intended, making them a common choice for treating alcohol dependence.
What is the Difference Between Sublocade® and Vivitrol®?
Sublocade® and Vivitrol® are FDA-approved medications that successfully treat opioid use disorder, they contain different active ingredients and work in different ways to help patients stay in treatment. Because of Sublocade’s drug classification, it must be prescribed and administered by a specialized physician, with injections occurring every 26-28 days subcutaneously. On the other hand, Vivitrol® can be prescribed and administered by a general healthcare professional and is injected every 28-30 days in the buttocks.
These medications also act differently. Sublocade® partially activates opioid receptors in the brain, alleviating cravings and withdrawal symptoms. In contrast, Vivitrol® blocks opioid receptors entirely to prevent any opioid effect but does not alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
Vivitrol® and Sublocade®: Which is Best for You?
Because Vivitrol® and Sublocade® contain different active ingredients, there isn’t a clear winner. Both treatment options are effective in treating opioid use disorder, so the choice typically depends on the severity of your addiction, your medical history and any other medications you’re taking, your preferences, and your health insurance coverage.
When weighing your options, it’s important to remember that there is habit-forming potential with Sublocade®, yet while Vivitrol® does not carry this risk, it also does not block withdrawal symptoms. Sublocade® is typically recommended for patients who have previously used buprenorphine medications like Suboxone®, while Vivitrol® is only available for patients who have not taken any opioids, buprenorphine, or methadone for at least 7 to 14 days.
Above all, the best way to determine which medication is right for you is by discussing your needs and situation with an expert. The compassionate team at Brightside is always available to help you determine which MAT option will work best for you, taking your lifestyle, budget, and unique situation into consideration when recommending medications.
Access Effective Medication-Assisted Treatment at Brightside
Whether through Sublocade®, Vivitrol®, or other FDA-approved solutions, medication-assisted treatment can help patients in all stages of dependence overcome opioid use disorder. Sublocade® can relieve withdrawal symptoms, and Vivitrol® can fully block illicit opioid effects. Still, both can effectively help you live a drug-free life.
If you or a loved one are battling opioid use disorder, Brightside is here to help. Our compassionate and professional experts can create a tailored treatment plan that meets your unique needs and addresses all facets of addiction, helping you achieve a complete recovery. We encourage you to schedule a telehealth visit with Brightside today to discuss your unique treatment needs.