Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute > CTN Pacific Northwest Node > Info Bites for Clinicians > Extended-Release Injectable Buprenorphine Videos & Factsheets

Extended-Release Injectable Buprenorphine Videos & Factsheets

Buprenorphine is one of three medications (methadone and naltrexone being the other two) approved for use to treat opioid use disorder. It is available as a film or tablet, and more recently as two long-acting extended-release injectables. Sublocade™ was first to be approved by the FDA in November 2017. More recently, in May 2023, Brixadi™ received approval. In January 2024 it was added to the WA state Medicaid formulary.

Fewer clinicians have experience using Brixadi™ than Sublocade™. The videos, podcast, and information sheets below are intended to aid prescribers in their conversations with patients interested in these buprenorphine options.

Read More About This Project

The Clinical Trials Network (CTN) PNW Node participated in two national CTN studies that used Brixadi™: CTN-0080 (Medication Treatment for OUD in Expectant Mothers) and CTN-0099 (ED-Initiated Buprenorphine and Validation Network Trial).

In response to a request for more information about Brixadi™ from our Community Advisory Board, we invited the clinicians involved in these studies and/or with familiarity using injectables to share their real-world experiences and lessons learned as part of the June 13, 2024 UW Psychiatry & Addiction Case Conference (UW-PACC).

We have distilled the expertise of these clinicians into six short, clinician-focused video trainings on how to use buprenorphine injectables in practice. We welcome the use of these videos by individuals and by health care organizations to train clinicians in the use of these medications, and to increase treatment options for their patients with opioid use disorder. 

Meet the Presenters

Moderator: Kari Stephens, PhD

UW Family Medicine

Lauren Whiteside, MD, MS, FACEP

UW Emergency Medicine, Physician, Harborview Medical Center
Site PI: CTN-0099 ED-Innovation

Callan Fockele, MD

UW Emergency Medicine Physician, Harborview Medical Center & Hobson Place Clinic
Medical Clinician: CTN-0099 ED-Innovation

Mark Duncan, MD

Associate Professor, UW Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, UW Addiction Psychiatry
Director, UW Psychiatry & Addiction Case Conference (UW-PACC)

Vania Rudolf, MD, MPH

Family Medicine, Obstetrics, & Addiction Medicine Physician, Swedish Addiction Recovery Services
Site PI: CTN-0080 MOMs Study

Disclaimer: Please note that you will hear our panelists discuss these medications by name. We do not endorse one medication over another, yet we do want providers to understand these medications so they can tailor their care to the individuals they treat. If these videos sound as if we are supportive of these medications, it is because we have read the science behind them and have known people who have benefitted from them. We do not receive any funding from companies who develop or sell these medications. Our goal is to increase options for people who have opioid use disorder.

Podcast

Listen to the complete panel discussion in audio-only format.

Download/play mp3 | Listen on Spotify

Videos

Watch the full video here (36 minutes), or select specific chapters below.

Extended-Release Buprenorphine Basics

Dr. Whiteside delivers a brief overview of available buprenorphine injectables, with a focus on the newer medication, Brixadi™. (6:49 minutes)

Settings & Access to Medication

The panelists discuss their experience using injectable buprenorphine, the settings they work in, and how patients can access these medications, including insurance coverage options. (4:46 minutes)

Who Could Benefit?

Panelists describe the types of patients that might benefit from injectable buprenorphine. (6:47 minutes)

Formulations: Sublocade™ vs Brixadi™

Differences between the two formulations are discussed in the context of how to talk with patients about their options. (6:24 minutes)

Induction: Getting Patients Started

How to avoid precipitated withdrawal and ease the induction process. (4:59 minutes)

Provider & Patient Experiences

Panelists offer their insights based on their experience so far, with the understanding that Brixadi™ is new for everyone as of summer 2024. They also explain when injectable formulations have NOT worked. (4:33 minutes)

Factsheets

COMING SOON!

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Funding/Acknowledgements

Funding

This project was developed by the Pacific Northwest Node, a member of the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s (NIDA) Clinical Trials Network, grant # UG1 DA013714. The information included in these videos has not been reviewed by NIDA and does not necessarily reflect the views of the institute.

The University of Washington School of Medicine also gratefully acknowledges receipt of educational grant support for UW-PACC from the Washington State Legislature through the Safety-Net Hospital Assessment, working to expand access to psychiatric services throughout Washington State.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to our panelists, as well as Betsy A. Payn and Esther Solano, who scheduled and recorded the PACC session.

The Community Advisory Board (CAB) of the Clinical Trials Network (CTN) PNW Node originated the idea for these trainings. The PNW Node is grateful to the CAB for its guidance and support.

Development Team

Laura-Mae Baldwin, MD, MPH
Sharon Garrett, MA, MPH
Mary Hatch, PhD
Michelle Ingalsbe, MSW
Erinn McGraw, BFA
Kari Stephens, PhD
Lynette Wright, MSW