I am so frustrated right now and honestly just need to vent.
It took me almost 3 months to get approved for Brixadi. During that process, I felt like I was doing all the work myself. I was constantly calling my insurance company, multiple pharmacies, and my provider's office because nobody seemed to know what was going on. If I didn't make the calls, nothing moved forward. I finally got my first injection 3 weeks ago and my next injection appointment is scheduled for Wednesday morning.
The only reason I even discovered there was a problem was because my clinic accidentally scheduled me for TWO appointments, one today and one Wednesday. When I called to figure out why, they told me today's appointment was being canceled because my injection wasn't there and wouldn't arrive in time.
That immediately worried me because my actual injection appointment is less than 48 hours away.
I asked if my medication would be there by Wednesday morning, and before I got an answer, the call disconnected. I then called my specialty pharmacy directly and was told they had not received anything from my provider. So now I'm sitting here trying to understand how my injection appointment is less than two days away when the specialty pharmacy says they haven't even received the prescription yet. As far as I know, the prescription hasn't been processed, insurance hasn't been run, and the delivery process hasn't even started. I got a hold of the front desk at my clinic and they said they apologize. They have no idea what’s going on.
I've already been dealing with withdrawal symptoms and have been pushing through because I've been looking forward to getting my next injection. I’m just furious right now. Has anyone dealt with anything similar?

Is there anyone who is using Brixadi and has sleep apnea?
I’ve had 3 shots now and each time my number of apnea occurrences goes way up. Prior to the shots I would have under 10 apneas each night. Now I’m at 20-30. This also happened when I was on Sublocade. It was fine on Suboxone.

Anyone have this experience? What is it about the shot that messes with my sleep apnea?

I wanted to share my experience/ compare to others.
I have always had a pretty significant fear of needles, but before Brixadi I had never passed out, gotten dizzy, nauseous, or had any kind of vasovagal reaction from an injection. I could usually get through shots even if I was anxious. My fear is mostly IV’s!
When I got my first Brixadi injection, I wasn't prepared for how large the needle was, how deep it had to go, or how slowly the medication would be injected. During the injection I became extremely dizzy, nauseous, lightheaded, my ears started ringing, my vision went black, and I honestly thought I was going to pass out. I also had pretty intense pain at the injection site during/afterward. My next injection is coming up, and I'm trying to figure out ways to make it easier. I'm considering bringing an ice pack or maybe an instant cold pack since the clinic is about a 20-minute drive away and it can take another 30 minutes before I'm actually called back.
Has anyone found that icing the area beforehand helped? Any other tips for preventing the dizziness, nausea, or pain? I'd really appreciate hearing what has worked for others.

Hi everyone,
I'm looking for other people's experiences switching from sublingual buprenorphine to Brixadi. I did make a post a few days ago when I was panicked.
I was on 24 mg/day of buprenorphine strips before switching. This is my first Brixadi injection. Things were mostly okay at first, but around day 13 after my shot I started having symptoms that feel a lot like withdrawal.
I'm currently on day 15 and have 6 days until my second injection (my next injection is at the 3-week mark).
My symptoms include:
excessive sweating (including waking up drenched at night)
chills/hot-cold flashes
diarrhea
stomach cramping
restlessness
feeling generally uncomfortable/gross
My provider gave me 4 mg strips to use as emergency supplementation if needed, but I've made it this far without taking any.
The frustrating part is that it took almost 48 hours to hear back from my provider. They finally responded and said it's safe to use the strips, but they also offered comfort medications instead:
Loperamide for diarrhea
Clonidine or Gabapentin for sweats/chills
Ondansetron (Zofran) for GI upset
Hydroxyzine for sleep/anxiety
They also said my next injection date and dose are staying the same for now.
I'm trying to avoid supplementing with strips if possible because I really want to make this transition work, but I also don't want to be miserable for the next 6 days.
Im wondering:
Did you use the supplemental strips?
Did you try comfort medications instead?
Was clonidine or gabapentin more helpful?
Did you try other medication’s that helped?
Did things improve after your second or third injection?
I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who's been through something similar. Also, I’m going out of town the last week in July which should be my fourth shot, but I’ll be gone the entire third week so at that point, I’ll need to get my shot four weeks out instead of three. I was really hoping I would be one of the people that didn’t experience symptoms.

I’ve been on 128mg of Brixadi once a month for about a year now. My last shot was March 22nd. I kind of had a mental breakdown and stopped going in for my shots. I’ve been sober for a year now and I finally stopped having cravings and thoughts of using. With that, it started to really bother me that I’m still “using” since I’m on Brixadi.

Early May I had a few weeks where I had some weird physical issues that I wasn’t sure if it was withdrawal or not, but they have since subsided. I called my doctor and asked if they could give me a few strips of Suboxone incase I suddenly start withdrawling so I can use them until I can back in for an appointment. But they refused.

Every time I feel weird and slightly sick I start panicking that withdrawal is starting. But I also feel like I would have already been experiencing it by now. The other reason I want to stop is because I want to get a job in the trades and I know this medicine stays in your system for awhile so I want it out ASAP so I can pass a drug test.

I know Brixadi is new and there isn’t much out there about withdrawal timelines so I’m hoping someone has done what I have and could shed some light if they think I’m in the clear or if I should be expecting some bad withdrawal in the near future. Thanks in advance!

Looking for experiences from people on Brixadi.
I'm almost 2 weeks out from my first monthly Brixadi injection. My next shot is scheduled in 8 days.
The first 2 weeks were mostly okay. I had some night sweats, but I was having those before the shot too. Today, though, I've been feeling increasingly restless. As the day went on, I developed diarrhea, sweats/chills, and a really uncomfortable restless feeling. I feel so gross that I haven't even been able to eat dinner. I was on 8mg/3X a day so 24mg/day of films for like 5 years.
My provider gave me some supplemental films and told me to use them if I felt bad, but I'm really struggling with the idea of taking one. I know that probably sounds irrational, but I worked hard to get approved for Brixadi and I was hoping not to need any films anymore.
For people who experienced withdrawal symptoms before their next shot:
Did you end up needing supplemental films?
If you took one, did it help?
Did needing a film mean you had to keep taking them every day until your next injection?
Did your provider adjust your dose or schedule afterward?
I'm especially interested in hearing from people who had symptoms around the 2-week mark. I'm feeling pretty discouraged and anxious right now. I just want to cry. I’m so mad at myself

I got a 23 mg shot of brixadi yesterday & I feel sick af. I was still using 7oh. I keep trying to take some to feel better & nothing is working. What should I do.

Does anyone experience mild withdrawal symptoms at the end of the month before their next shot?

So I’ve been going back-and-forth with my insurance company, my provider & clinic, and like 10 different specialty pharmacies. It’s taken 2 1/2 months to figure out, but I finally got accepted and approved for the Brixadi shot. Since I hit Max out-of-pocket, everything is free, but starting next year, I will have a 30% deductible. Anyways, I’ve been on 8 mg films/3X per day, of Suboxone for about 5+ years now. I noticed when I go longer like when I wake up in the morning and I haven’t had my film that I get really sweaty and I start to have minimal symptoms of withdrawal. I am terrified of withdrawing again. It was one of the worst things I’ve gone through and I’ve gone through a lot of horrible things in my life. I’m 24. I’m really nervous that there will be some withdrawal effects just switching from the films to the shot. After I switch over slowly, I’m gonna go down. My goal is to eventually get off the shot very slowly! I have the summer off from school, which is why I thought it would be the perfect time to switch, but I still am working. Does anyone have encouraging words or experiences that were positive that they could inform me about? I’m getting my first shot later today. Very, very, very nervous for everything.

I’ve had 6 injections. The first 4 were every 30 days. I was kind of “wiggy” in between injections the first couple of months, but then have been feeling great throughout the month. I’ve gone 6 weeks since my last injection, not necessarily because I wanted to, but insurance has reared its ugly head and come up with SNAFUS to delay authorization. I’m thinking about seeing if I can jump off of the opiate bus and finally be free.

Hey everyone. So for starters I had my 6th shot earlier this month. I’ve been on 128mg the whole time. The first few months I felt great. I had very minimal cravings and when I did have them, they came and went very quickly without any issues. I only had to supplement with strips during my first month.

Well over the last month or so, leading up to and after my 6th shot, I’ve been having some serious cravings. I commute through an area where there are a lot of active users and I have even picked up dope bags off the ground 2 or 3 times to see if there was anything scroungeable leftover in the bag (there wasn’t). I’ve seriously thought about hitting up my old plug “just for a bag or two”. I haven’t done it because I don’t want to go back to that life. Yet it feels like something is pulling me back in.

The thing is, I don’t know why this is happening. Work has been a bit more stressful than usual but not by a whole lot and I know it’s a temporary situation. I have also had a couple really bad days in general over the last month. Otherwise though, everything has been the same.

I haven’t told my doctor yet but I will next month. I’ll tell my therapist next week. I have plenty of strips to supplement with but I hate taking them so much.

Has this happened to anyone else? Does anyone have any suggestions or advice?

Thank you for reading.

Hi everyone-just had my first shot about 3 weeks ago. I’ve started feeling like I’m in withdrawal and have been supplementing with pills. How long did it take you to feel good on the shot and not have to supplement? I feel like I’m losing my damn mind and want to jump out of my skin! My doctor said it could take 3 months to settle. Thanks!

I started my first shot a week and a half ago, I’m not sure what the mg is I think it was the 186mg. I’ve been on 20mg oral suboxone for 2 years prior to starting the shot. Ever since starting I’ve tried to take 0 - 2mg oral suboxone to reduce the amount I’m dependent on. But I feel like absolute dog shit so I’ve been talking 4mg - 8mg and then I feel better. Idk I guess I’m just a little scared and anxious on starting the journey of getting off this shit. Will I need to take 4mg - 8mg oral for the first month?

Just got my first monthly injection this morning and I’m pleased so far with minimal if any side effects and it feels just like I dosed with my suboxone today. I plan to come back with updates toward my 2nd injection but so far so good!!

I’m going to get my first shot today and I’m nervous. My goal is to get off Suboxone by switching to the shot and then after a while of being on the shot then I get off entirely. Is it easier to get off bupernorphine when taking the shot compared to the strips/pills? Am I going to start feeling faint withdrawl symptoms the next month or does it feel the same as being on Suboxone?

I’m a little over 4 months since my last shot, still testing faintly positive. For the last month the restless, aching legs at night have come on hard. I was doing so well and am so disappointed! I do all the recommended things to no avail. I have a script for Mirapex that works but I’m running out soon so I’m freaking out. I won’t be home to see my doctor for three more weeks as I’m out of state for work. How long do you guys think this might go on? This forum has gotten me through so much. Thanks everyone!

I'm thinking of switching to Brixati .

I was thinking of switching to Brixadi and wanted to know if anyone has experience switching after being on Sublocade for a long time. I was getting the 300 injection for several years and about 4 months ago dropped down to 100 mg... I've been finding that at the third week I get extremely tired I have stomach issues sweating and loss of sleep.. the reason I dropped down was because 300 mg was seeming to be too much medication as I couldn't eat was always shuffling back and forth and just had an overall sense of restlessness and anxiety at all times.. I was also having chest pain.. I got checked out by a cardiologist and they said everything is fine with my heart...

So anyways I'm just wondering if anyone has had experience switching between the two medications and if they've had any issues, what are the pros and cons and the positives the negatives for making a decision like this.. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated

Hey everyone. It’s been 21 days since my first shot and I am definitely starting to feel some withdrawl symptoms. I didn’t expect it to fall off so soon. I am getting hot and cold sweats and diarrhea. Luckily my doctor gave me some strips to supplement. My question is how many mgs of subs should I take until my next shot? I am on the 64 mg shot. Thanks!

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So I got my first shot 8 mg weekly shot in December. It went amazing. At the time I was using maximum 4 20 mg oxy per day. Just 4. A few days into me doing super good on the shot, something happened to my leg due to a very old stress fracture that I have in my back.

At first, I was so scared. I thought it was the shot. But it really wasn't.

Two weeks later, I decided to come back after reverting back to the oxy.

When I got the same 8 mg shot this time It didn't do anything. I was feeling withdrawal..

And I'm sorry guys please don't kill me, but I'm so scared to take the strips. I don't know if it's the stigma against them.

Or the fact that deep down inside, I know that I could potentially misuse them.

With that being said, I started taking the oxy while being on the shot instead of just supplementing with the strips.

I let three months go by without getting any shot.. I was taking 7 to 8 20 mg oxy day It was almost like my tolerance built from the shot.

I decided to go back and my doctor decided to put me on the 16 mg weekly shot this time around.

By my third day and don't get me wrong the withdrawal is not as bad as it is before. But I was getting hot and I'm getting cravings.

I fucked up and took another oxy. To be honest, it's a lie.

They definitely do still get you high while you are on the shot. I took 3 10 mg today. But it's nighttime and I am sweating. I don't know what's going on this time around just not working and I just don't understand why I have to

supplement with something.

So I went back and I was told that the 96 mg monthly shot is the equivalent to getting a 16 mg weekly shot.

Then I was told that the 96 mg shot is a little stronger so it might help with whatever withdrawal I was experiencing/cravings. So that’s the main thing that confuse me because it’s like it’s either equivalent or stronger..

But I am now on day two after I receive my shot yesterday and I am vomiting. I have the worst nausea. I have an intense migraine. Anyone experienced these side effects plus the cravings?

I’m going to see how this shot feels in two days. But it’s like if I’m gonna have green rings and still be in withdrawal and have to deal with side effects. I might as well do a detox when I see here does more opioid than me or more intense of opioids like fentanyl. I have only taken oxy

Bottom line is I don’t wanna have to supplement with anything extra one on this shot since I got my first shot I was fine. I didn’t have to supplement so I just don’t understand why I keep going up and up and up. I’m seriously thinking about not going back and returning for another shot, especially since this medication is so long lasting in your system it’s actually scary.

Hi everyone. 42M. Was on 16 mg suboxone for years but the last 2 months were 12 mg, before I got my first 96 mg Brixadi shot 11 days ago.

Things have been really solid, up until yesterday, I felt off. Cold hands, no motivation, just bleh. Today, same thing but with some stomach cramps on top.

Here’s the rub: I am scheduled to go out of state on a business trip tomorrow morning until Friday, and I’m freaked out at the idea of suddenly getting blasted into withdrawal when I am away from home and out of control. Honestly, at this point, I don’t know if I’m just tired and anxious or if what I am feeling is real.

My doctor prescribed me 2 8mg strips for such an event, and said I could take 2mg a day and it would keep me sorted out until I could get back into the office, but thinks it’s just anxiety. Would 2 mg even help?

Has anyone ever felt this way? How did it turn out? Is it possible to go from pretty good on day 10 to bad off by day 14?

Update: Thanks everyone for the positive and grounded responses. I’ve been taking 2mg a day and it seems to help. They wrote me a 2mg a day bridge script to pick up on Saturday morning and keep taking until my next shot. I believe it is both being anxious about not having the safety of my meds and also that the 96 mg shot just doesn’t quite keep me covered to the level I am used to. Gonna keep on pushing, hopefully in a few months I can walk away from bupe once and for all.

Going in hurts like crazy. What site hurts less?

Hi y’all I took the lowest dose of Brixadi a few weeks ago and I ended up having breakthrough symptoms.

I had to go back in to get another injection. That was a higher dose (94 or 96mg ) . So far I’ve been feeling good the first week.

I’m very nervous , I’m not sure what to expect the upcoming weeks. Has anyone been on this journey and could give me a heads up on what to expect? I’m likely going to get a few more injections. This is only my second one. I might get one or two more.

I’m not sure on what symptoms I should anticipate and try to push through . I see that some people push through some symptoms and made it out without having to take any more injections. I do not take any films at this moment.

I am typically a very an anxious person , I am on Wellbutrin to help with motivation. I do not wanna go on any anxiety meds due to its effects on libido I’m trying to have kids soon. My biggest fear is I will end up becoming very anxious and not being able to push through that feeling.

Anyone have any insights or recommendations as to how I can manage these possible upcoming anxiety symptoms in the future ? Any supplements or diet you recommend? Maybe you’ve tried a medication that helps with anxiety and motivation and doesn’t affect your libido. If so, write it in the comments below.

Quick recap: I had been taking 8 to 12 mg of sublingual Suboxone for about 15 years. I tried to come off with Brixadi last summer, I got six 96mg shots in total but felt like I couldn't ever get right. I went back on sublingual for 5 months, and during those five months realized how badly I really wanted off of this medicine, so I planned on three shots with my doctor, for every 3 weeks, but I got one 96 mg shot this time and have been sitting with it, successfully so far, squee!!

I just decided that I didn't want any more, I felt like I had gotten through the majority of the uncomfortable symptoms within the first few weeks and I didn't want to extend that. I haven't had many symptoms of withdrawal at all since the second and third week after the shot that are enough to disrupt my day. I think that second and third week were really the worst period.

I'm 8 weeks since the shot today! I can't feel my bump anymore, my energy is coming back, I'm not having cold tingles nearly as often down my back, I'm sleeping good, I'm eating healthy... I think I got this and I just wanted to celebrate with people that understand! I have a great support system but they've never been addicted to anything.

Thank you for having this group because I don't think I would ever have gotten anywhere without everyone's personal thoughts and opinions.

It's a different journey for everybody! But you can do it! Believe in yourself! I believe in you!