Buprenorphine
(Long-Acting Injectable)

Patient Information Sheet — Buvidal® & Sublocade®

Dr Basanth Kenchaiah FRANZCP, Cert. Addiction Psych.
General Adult & Addiction Psychiatrist
Delmont Consulting Suites
314 Warrigal Road, Glen Iris VIC 3146
Tel: 03 9834 3600

This sheet provides general information about long-acting injectable buprenorphine (LAI-B). It covers Buvidal® (weekly and monthly) and Sublocade® (monthly). It is not a substitute for a conversation with your treating doctor. Please ask your doctor or nurse if you have any questions.

What is long-acting injectable buprenorphine?

Long-acting injectable buprenorphine (LAI-B) delivers buprenorphine as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection that releases medication slowly over one week or one month. It is an alternative to daily sublingual buprenorphine (Suboxone) for people with opioid use disorder.

Two formulations are available in Australia:

Buvidal® (Camurus) — available as a weekly (8 mg, 16 mg, 24 mg, 32 mg) or monthly (64 mg, 96 mg, 128 mg, 160 mg) injection, given under the skin of the abdomen, thigh, upper arm, or buttock.
Sublocade® (Indivior) — available as a monthly injection (100 mg or 300 mg), given only into the abdomen.

Why consider injectable buprenorphine?

  Key benefits: No daily dosing to remember. No medication to store at home. Removes the social challenge of daily pharmacy visits. Provides steady, stable blood levels without peaks and troughs.

LAI-B may particularly suit people who:

Find daily sublingual dosing difficult to maintain
Have concerns about keeping medication secure at home (e.g. with children, or in shared accommodation)
Work irregular hours or travel frequently
Want more privacy and fewer visits to the pharmacy
Are stabilised on sublingual buprenorphine and ready for a simpler routine

Buvidal® vs Sublocade® — a comparison

Feature	Buvidal®	Sublocade®
Frequency	Weekly or monthly	Monthly only
Injection site	Abdomen, thigh, upper arm, or buttock	Abdomen only
Injection type	Subcutaneous (under skin) — small volume	Subcutaneous — forms a small depot
Flexibility	Weekly option allows dose adjustments more readily	Monthly only — less flexible for titration
Starting point	Can start directly from opioid withdrawal (like sublingual)	Usually requires stabilisation on sublingual buprenorphine first
PBS-listed	Yes (from 2022)	Yes

Your doctor will help determine which formulation is most suitable for your circumstances.

How is the injection given?

The injection is given by a trained healthcare professional — your doctor, practice nurse, or authorised pharmacist. It is a small injection beneath the skin, not into a vein or muscle. A small lump (depot) may form at the injection site, which is expected and will gradually dissolve.

Injection sites are rotated to avoid skin reactions. The injection typically takes only a minute or two.

Starting injectable buprenorphine

To start Buvidal weekly, you will generally need to be in mild-to-moderate withdrawal from your current opioid (similar to starting sublingual buprenorphine). Some people transition directly from sublingual buprenorphine — your doctor will advise on timing and whether a transition dose is needed.

Sublocade is usually started after a period of stabilisation on sublingual buprenorphine.

Common side effects

Injection site reactions — redness, itching, mild pain, or a lump under the skin. These are usually mild and resolve within days to weeks.
Constipation — a common opioid-related effect; increase fluid and dietary fibre intake.
Headache, nausea, sweating — often settle as your body adjusts.
Sleep disturbance — may occur, especially early on.
Fatigue or drowsiness — typically reduces after the first few weeks.

Important safety information

Do not mix with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other sedating medicines without discussing with your doctor. This combination can cause dangerously slow breathing, even at normally safe doses.

Overdose risk from other opioids: Even with LAI-B on board, taking additional opioids can cause overdose. If someone overdoses, call 000 immediately and give naloxone (Nyxoid®) if available. Note: the depot formulation makes it harder to reverse buprenorphine itself with naloxone, but it still protects against other opioids.
Driving: Avoid driving until you know how this medication affects you.
Pregnancy: Discuss with your doctor immediately. LAI-B in pregnancy requires specialist guidance, though buprenorphine treatment is often continued and monitored.
Do not attempt to cut or remove the depot under the skin. If you have concerns about the injection site, contact your doctor.

Where can I get the injection?

Injections can be arranged through your prescribing doctor's rooms or a participating community pharmacist. A list of pharmacies offering long-acting injectable buprenorphine in Victoria is available through the RACGP. Your doctor's rooms can assist with referral to a convenient location.

How long do I need treatment?

There is no fixed duration. Many people benefit from extended treatment — and the evidence strongly supports that staying on treatment reduces overdose risk and improves quality of life. Decisions about stopping or reducing should always be made with your doctor.

Questions?

Please raise any questions at your next appointment or call the rooms on 03 9834 3600. For urgent concerns or emergencies, call 000 or attend your nearest hospital emergency department.

Clinical content informed by: the RACGP National Guidelines for Medication-Assisted Treatment of Opioid Dependence (MATOD); and the TGA approved product information for Buvidal® (Camurus) and Sublocade® (Indivior). These sources are publicly available at racgp.org.au and tga.gov.au.

Buprenorphine(Long-Acting Injectable)