Injectable Buprenorphine Prescribing (Better Prescribing, Better Treatment series)

CME available. Dr. Nathan Schlicher sits down with with Dr. Caleb Holtzer, MD, MPH, a family medicine doctor in Chewelah, WA and Dr. Mark Duncan, a board-certified psychiatrist at UW Medicine. They discuss the role of injectable buprenorphine in treating opioid use disorder (OUD), focusing on improved adherence, reduced misuse, and better outcomes. Participants will compare Sublocade® and Brixadi®, review safe prescribing practices, and learn to apply patient-centered strategies to determine appropriate use in clinical care.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the role of injectable buprenorphine in improving adherence and retention for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD)
• Differentiate between Sublocade and Brixadi in terms of dosing, administration, pharmacology, and patient experience.
• Evaluate patient-specific factors to determine when injectable buprenorphine may be a more effective option than oral formulations.

Episode 26 of the WSMA Better Prescribing, Better Treatment safe prescribing podcast. For a video version, visit the WSMA website.

Release date: June 24, 2025

Expiration date: June 23, 2028

Resources:

Presentation slides

Prescribing Information | SUBLOCADE® (buprenorphine extended-release) injection, for subcutaneous use, CIII

https://www.brixadihcp.com/dosing-and-administration/

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