Vivitrol vs. Sublocade

Vivitrol (naltrexone) injection and Sublocade (buprenorphine extended-release) injection are used to treat opioid dependence.

Vivitrol is also used to treat alcohol dependence and to prevent relapse to opioid dependence.

Vivitrol and Sublocade belong to different drug classes. Vivitrol is an opioid antagonist and Sublocade is a partial opioid agonist.

Side effects of Vivitrol and Sublocade that are similar include nausea, headache, and tiredness/fatigue.

Side effects of Vivitrol that are different from Sublocade include dizziness, anxiety, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, loss of appetite, increased thirst, muscle or joint aches, weakness, sleep problems (insomnia), decreased sex drive, impotence, and difficulty having an orgasm.

Side effects of Sublocade that are different from Vivitrol include constipation, injection site itching or pain, vomiting, and increased liver enzymes.

Both Vivitrol and Sublocade may interact with narcotic pain medications.

Sublocade may also interact with other central nervous system depressants (alcohol, non-benzodiazepine sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics), macrolide antibiotics, azole antifungals, protease inhibitors, rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, antiretrovirals, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), triptans, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, drugs that affect the serotonin neurotransmitter system, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), diuretics, and anticholinergic drugs.

You should not receive a Vivitrol injection if you still use opioid medicine, or you could have sudden and severe withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop taking Sublocade.

Common side effects of Vivitrol include:

• nausea,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• anxiety,
• nervousness,
• restlessness,
• irritability,
• tiredness,
• loss of appetite,
• increased thirst,
• muscle or joint aches,
• weakness,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• decreased sex drive,
• impotence, or
• difficulty having an orgasm.

Common side effects of Sublocade and narcotic drug withdrawal are:

• constipation,
• headache,
• nausea,
• injection site itching or pain,
• vomiting,
• increased liver enzymes,
• and fatigue.

Vivitrol (naltrexone) for Extended-Release Injectable Suspension is an opioid antagonist used to treat alcohol dependence and prevent relapse to opioid dependence.

Sublocade (naloxone) is an opioid antagonist used for the complete or partial reversal of opioid overdose, including respiratory depression. Sublocade is also used for diagnosis of suspected or known acute opioid overdose and also for blood pressure support in septic shock. Sublocade is available in generic form.

Vivitrol may interact with narcotic pain medications including buprenorphine, butorphanol, codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, levorphanol, meperidine, methadone, morphine, nalbuphine, naloxone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, or propoxyphene. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you take. Do not use narcotic drugs or alcohol while taking Vivitrol. Exercise caution if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert while taking Vivitrol.

Sublocade may interact with:

• other central nervous system depressants (alcohol, non-benzodiazepine sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, and other opioids),
• macrolide antibiotics,
• azole antifungals,
• protease inhibitors,
• rifampin,
• carbamazepine,
• phenytoin,
• phenobarbital,
• antiretrovirals,
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs),
• serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs),
• tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs),
• triptans,
• 5-HT3 receptor antagonists,
• drugs that affect the serotonin neurotransmitter system,
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs),
• muscle relaxants,
• diuretics,
• and anticholinergic drugs.

Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

The recommended dosage of Vivitrol is 380 mg taken once a month. Vivitrol must be administered under a doctor's supervision.

The recommended dose of Sublocade is two monthly initial doses of 300 mg followed by 100 mg monthly maintenance doses.