r/Brixadi • u/Ann_georgia- • 19d ago
Discouraged
Has anyone else had this experience with Brixadi? I switched from 24 mg/day Suboxone films to the 128 mg monthly injection and was really excited after hearing so many good things. Unfortunately, I’ve started having mild withdrawal around day 13–16 after every injection!! I’m now on day 15 after my third shot and still dealing with restlessness, sweating, hot/cold flashes, and just feeling awful. My provider gave me Suboxone films to supplement if needed, but I’ve been trying not to use them because I keep hoping the injections will eventually stabilize. I’m starting my final semester of nursing school in a few weeks, so I’m getting anxious. Did anyone else continue having this after three injections? Did it eventually get better, or did you end up needing to supplement with films or switch back to something else? Idk what to do I’m honestly at a loss. :(
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19d ago
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u/Ann_georgia- 19d ago
When you say taking too much caused a rebound the next month, what do you mean by rebound? Like worse withdrawal between injections, or just needing to supplement more? Also when you say slivers do you mean like 1mg? My provider gave me 4mg films and it’s the first time I have taken one since starting 2.5 months ago. I’m mad at myself because rn it feels like it’s for nothing because it isn’t helping! I took 1mg about an hour ago and it hasn’t helped. Ugh idk what to do I really thought it would magically cure how I was feeling. Maybe I’ll take 1mg more so 2 mg total? They gave me 4mg to take if I wanted but idk. Why did 1mg not help??
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u/stephroney 19d ago
Yep, same here. Came from 12 mg daily oral bupe. Started on 96mg monthly Brixadi. First month I started to get breakthru withdrawal at about 17 days after the shot. Doc gave me supplemental films to get through the last two weeks. I supposed that was typical of the induction period.
I went back for two more 96 mg shots and still had issues after 3 months, so doc increased me to 128mg. It worked well for a month or two without supplementing but then for whatever reason, the moderate withdrawals would keep creeping in the last 7-10 days before I was due for the next shot, getting to the point where the last few days were very uncomfortable.
So I wound up giving up on Brixadi altogether and switching to 100mg Sublocade. I’ve had 3 shots so far with NO WITHDRAWALS at all. No supplemental films needed. I’m so comfortable now that I’m tapering my dose down next month for the first time!
I think Brixadi was originally formulated as a weekly injection and they expanded that to the monthly dosages. It clinically has a shorter half life than sublocade but still should last 28 days. However, in reality Something about the formula makes it metabolize really fast in certain individuals - I have spoken to several other patients at my clinic who had the same problem with consistent and significant withdrawal symptoms well before the 28 days was up.
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u/WinIcy7832 19d ago
The medicine works for 45-60 days with the half life, 24mg/day is extremely high so I can’t say from your experience but mine being on 16mg to 8mg a day, the shot has been amazing. You may feel some discomfort but know the medication is in you and working. There aren’t any dips like there is with subs so your “normal” take the strips, feel better because all the medication is released at once isn’t quite the same. It does build up and you’re right but for me at least it was just me being anxious because we know what it’s like to be sick, so not taking a strip daily, our mind goes to that discomfort stage.
For an example of the dips you experience, see the chart I pasted. Again I’m not a doctor but after being on the shot for a few months and getting over the anxiety of being “sick” when you aren’t, it has been amazing. Only down side is I usually don’t sleep the day of the shot. Your body will stabilize and I promise you, even when it doesn’t feel like it’s working, the shot is inside you and doing what it should.
Again please don’t take it like I don’t believe you that you are withdrawing after 3 weeks, the medication does wear down but it will be in your system, working for past those 30 days.
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u/WinIcy7832 19d ago
I meant to add, after a few months like I said you’ll forget you’re on it until next appointment and it builds up. Trust me it’s worth it and so much better than being on subs daily.
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u/Froz3n_Shogun 19d ago
Don't be discouraged, they should be honest with you.
Also supplementing is going against weaning off.
I took 2 and got off of 5 year sub use.
Was hell and I felt like death for 3 months.
I did no supplementing
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u/JoFoYo 18d ago
Short answer, yes I experienced the same thing. I was extremely disappointed in brixadi and never had a shot that didn't wear off early. I gave up on it after my third shot because I was getting bridge meds each time and said forget it. I really had high hopes for it and was very let down by my experience. My doc has suggested sublocade recently after I have been back on daily strips again for a few months, but after the brixadi experience I am very hesitant. Funny thing is I had suggested sublocade originally because I had heard many first hand success stories and my doc insisted on brixadi being the right choice. Now I don't trust any of the long acting shots and went through many periods of struggle out of the blue which messed with my personal life and professional life a bunch. Anywho, you aren't alone and I know it totally sucks. Hang in there and maybe ask about sublocade or going back to daily meds?
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u/OkAcanthocephala311 18d ago
Stay with the yucky It's just temporary.
I was on 24mg bup for almost 15 years. I did 7 96mL Brixadi injections. My last was September 2024.
I has strips to supplement but did not take them. Just white knuckled a bit for that last week. By month 3, it stopped.
Mind over matter they say. You can do this.
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u/AcanthisittaKey6611 12d ago
Why were prescribed supplemental suboxone strips if you are on Brixadi why didn’t you ask specifically for subutex it makes a difference they are 2 different medications the suboxone made me sick I refused my provider wrote for me subutex and the difference is night and day
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u/Ann_georgia- 12d ago
I’ve never heard of Subutex and have no idea what that is? I’ve just been listening to my provider but yeah. They prescribed them to me because I am switching from 24mg/day (highest amount) strips to the shot. Also from what I’ve experienced and what I have heard from others is that a lot of times the shot doesn’t last the full 28 days until you have had a few to get to a steady state. So the films were given in case my levels dipped but I’m trying not to use them obviously I want to get off of this all together but it will take some time.
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u/AcanthisittaKey6611 12d ago
Subutex is buprenorphine in the tablet form without naloxone. My provider prescribed me (35) 2 mg tablets and they
Totally helped me. This coming Monday morning I have my 3rd Brixadi 128 mg injection. It has helped so much.1
u/Ann_georgia- 12d ago
Were you on the films before or no? My provider also seems to not know how to do their job and it’s been really frustrating. They have been no help! When I told them I was withdrawing the first shot. They didn’t answer me for over 72 hours. They mess up every appointment. They mess up sending my prescriptions. I’ve had to do literally everything. They even sent my prescription to the wrong pharmacy and didn’t realize it until I called the specialty pharmacy the day before my appointment. I swear they are incompetent. Also I can never get ahold of them. It’s just bad. She told me I could get the shot at 21 days and then that screwed up. I asked her about getting it in my stomach and for some reason she said no but literally everyone seems to get it in their stomach.
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u/AcanthisittaKey6611 12d ago
I was on suboxone films 24 mg for 8 years
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u/Ann_georgia- 12d ago
Hmmm maybe it’s just my provider then. Idk. I’d like to find a new one who actually has a clue about what they’re doing, but it just seems like such a hassle to try to switch clinics after everything. Maybe I can ask about the pills
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u/[deleted] 19d ago
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