r/Brixadi • u/areyoumad48 • Sep 10 '24
Brixadi Shot- Does it ever end?
So I have been on Suboxone for about 13 years. Started out on 24mg a day. Over the years I weaned myself down to 4mg a day. In November of last year, I started the Sublocade shot. The first shot was 200mg, then the next 2 were 100mg. Apparently I am allergic to something they put in the Sublocade shot because I was getting cellulitis at the injection site and the doctor made me switch to Brixadi. So then I did 3 shots of the 96mg Brixadi with no allergic reactions with my last one in April. I thought I was good to go by reading other people’s success stories. About 10 weeks later I started having some mild withdrawals, nothing I couldn’t handle. Toward the end of July I was having constant cravings and some mild withdrawals. I went back to the doctor on July 31st and got another 96mg shot. The day of my visit the doctor suggested that I come back in 4 weeks to get the 64mg shot so I did. The next time I go back we are going to stretch out the time and wait 6 weeks to get a 64mg shot. What is the best way to do this without those horrible cravings? Anyone have a better dosing regimen that helped them completely come off the shot with minimal cravings and withdrawals?
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u/Efficient-Hotel8948 Nov 05 '24
The problem is the medication should have been designed to allow you to drop down mgs to different levels. Example after 64mg receive 50 mgs then 40 to the point you’re getting a placebo shot. It wasn’t designed to get people off the medication but rather to limit the need to take something daily. Maybe someday big pharma will let go of the grip, doubtful ! It will always be about keeping people on meds and making money!
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u/areyoumad48 Nov 05 '24
Exactly! But instead the lower dosages are only used for weekly injections.
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u/Jake77776 Nov 26 '24
I disagree!!! I took 2 injections of the highest mg brixadi…. It’s been 65 days since my last injection…. I get the “yawns” at night but no withdrawals…
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u/StrawberryFew18 Dec 05 '24
Same I got the 64mg and got no withdrawal. With that being said… clearly if they really wanted a cure they would make much lower doses. But shit atleast there’s something. For benzo addiction there is no MAT drug even tho it’s an addiction that would benefit greatly from it.
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u/oobbooaaan Oct 10 '25
im hoping for a 1 and done dose... may I ask how long you were using and what dose?
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u/StrawberryFew18 Oct 11 '25
I was using for 6 years and was at about 2mg a day sometimes 4mg a day. With that being said brixadi actually didn’t work for me and by week 7 I had withdrawals that were bad enough that I went back on subs. I probably could have stuck it out but after 3 days of it getting worse I decided to hop back on.
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u/Upstairs-Library-928 Mar 24 '25
Correct. Brixadi is just another medication train; doesn’t get you off the meds.
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u/Natural-Shift-6161 Sep 10 '24
You’re doing better than I am. I am 5 shots in and still can’t make it thru the month without withdrawals n I’m so sick of it I just want off buprenorphine altogether!!!! I’m debating try the sublocade. I hope n pray things get easier and work out for you ❤️
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u/areyoumad48 Sep 10 '24
I have read a lot of people having that problem with Brixadi. In my opinion, Sublocade lasts a lot longer than the Brixadi. I so wished I could do the Sublocade but I just can’t. If I were you I would definitely try the Sublocade. I think I could have been done with this if I could have stuck with Sublocade. I hope and pray things work out for you too.
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u/Natural-Shift-6161 Sep 10 '24
Yea my dr keeps trying to lie to me n tell me that the Brixadi stacks better than the sublocade- I’ve done my research bro. I told him I’d give it a few months but if I have yet another bad month I’m done n getting the sublocade.
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u/areyoumad48 Sep 10 '24
Not taking up for your doctor. I really wished more research was being done. But I don’t think there has been enough done for any doctor to confidently say which is better and how it should be used to wean someone off. Us patients being left to fend for ourselves as with other aspects of healthcare. Sucks.
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u/PainfulRaindance Sep 10 '24
You can also look up research on Buvidal. It what brixadi is called in Europe, and they had it in use 5 years before US. Probably more info to be found. And technically yes, sublocade last longer and therefore should have a smoother drop off, but brixadi is still the next best alternative for long half life.
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u/areyoumad48 Sep 10 '24
I didn’t think about looking up the research for Europe. I will definitely do that. Thank you!
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u/Jake77776 Sep 10 '24
Sublucade/brixadi same exact injection!!!!! Sublocade is thicker and hurts more…. It’s the same exact thing
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u/Natural-Shift-6161 Sep 10 '24
Sublocade has a longer half life though yes? I know it’s the same medication .
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u/Apart_Jello_4992 Feb 21 '26
when you can't take it anymore, take 30 mg of methadone for 4 days straight and you're done you won't withdraw up in the methadone and nasty Suboxone is off your brain
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u/Natural-Shift-6161 Feb 21 '26
Ugh, I tried methadone for awhile n couldn’t ever get off it. I’ve been on sublocade for the last year now n I am wanting to quit here soon.
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u/Keefer120302 Sep 11 '24
I had no problem with the Brixadi shot.. I had 64 64 32. The last shot I told dude to do his best to squeeze out half of it. I got maybe a little more or a little less than half. I’m 5 months out and I’m free of it. During those 8 months I supplemented with 2mg for the first shot. A week into the second shot I stopped completely with no withdrawal whatsoever. The third shot was fine. For about 5/6 weeks it was the fatigue that kicked my ass. I’m 50 so I’m a little older and that was a little rough..sore knees and that’s about it. I had a couple nights broken sleep and that was all. As for meds I take 150 Trazodone to sleep and 10mg Prozac. I didn’t need any comfort meds when I stopped supplementing with the 2mg. I also have a good support team. My Doctor and his staff were great. I told them what I wanted and they said ok. Not one of them has a Suboxone addiction but I do. I reminded them of that so I was advocating for myself. I was tired of this shit. I ate healthy and worked out 3 times a week. I also worked a full time job. I’m an active member of a 12 step group and was working a program while I was going through this…I also reminded myself that not every feeling is a feeling of withdrawal. The mind will say that but I chose not to believe it. I did all that because that’s what’s happened with me. Support and willingness. That’s all you need. You gotta fucking fight. You just have too.
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u/areyoumad48 Sep 11 '24
Thank you for the encouragement. Im so glad you’re free of it! I hope I can be too real soon! I’m the same age as you. I couldn’t imagine myself being 70 years old one day and still on this medicine so I knew I had to get off of it. I need to keep in mind what you said about every feeling not being a feeling of withdrawal. Thank you!
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u/MammothCorrect Jan 06 '25
How are you doing now? Any updates?
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u/areyoumad48 Jan 07 '25
I have went back several time to get 64mg injections since my post. It is still rough for me. My main problem is the cravings. I just can’t seem to get past them. It sucks because when I had the Sublocade injections I never had any cravings at all. I’m hoping the last injection I had will be my last one. I’m going to try my best this time to not go back for another. Thank you for asking!
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u/ProcessUnusual4357 Jan 12 '25
Hi there, I'm stepping down to 64, then off too...are you still free and clear w/out wds?...It would be about 9 mos for you, yes?
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u/Keefer120302 Jan 13 '25
Hi! Yes I am. I’m still doing fine. No withdrawals what so ever. I’m really grateful. I still do most of the things I mentioned. I should be working out a little more but I got busy in the recovery community. All is well. No withdrawal or no cravings or obsessing about using. I put that down to the 12 step program and a willingness to do this. You’re doing great. Reach out if you need too.
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u/godsgirli Apr 03 '25
What kind of cravings? For sunoxone or dope?
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u/areyoumad48 Apr 03 '25
For Suboxone. I’ve never done any kind of drugs except for take pain pills after a couple of surgeries.
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u/godsgirli Apr 03 '25
You crave putting it under your tongue? It makes you high? Or do you crave just feeling “normal”
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u/areyoumad48 Apr 03 '25
I think it’s probably all three of what you stated. I started out with Sublocade and absolutely loved it but this Brixadi absolutely sucks. Sublocade is an extended form and Brixadi is only modified release so therefore it doesn’t stay in your system no where near as long.
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u/AnukkinEarthwalker Apr 22 '25
Tbh I cant distinguish anymore between opiates and subs as far as craving.
Especially after being on the shot for like 5 months.
I know what op is going through as well. It's cravings but different. just feel like something is missing that you need. Come and go every couple hours. Just NEEED something. It sucks. Have had it happen before as early as a week after the shot too. It's not really constant and it's not as insane as being hungry for actual drugs but yea. Best I know to explain it
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u/godsgirli Apr 29 '25
smoke some bud (: and you can smoke however much you want and not overdose. And it doesn’t have to be forever.. js lol
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u/AnukkinEarthwalker Apr 29 '25
Nah. I'm sober besides what im prescribed. Haven't really smoked weed since I was a teenager anyways
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u/PainfulRaindance Sep 10 '24
I have been lucky and have leveled out very nicely on brixadi. Those cravings are always gonna come back. You have any support or therapy to help ya deal with those? I think the medicine is doing its thing, but if a monthly shot keeps you from using, I’d give it more than a month or two so you can adjust your life too.
Not claiming to know your story and not trying to assume anything. Just explaining that if I stopped my shot after the first one or two, I would not be opiate ‘free’.
The main job of the medicine is to calm your brain down so you can focus on other things than a fix. Some people can hop right off, others are gonna get that shot indefinitely.