Opioid addiction is a serious health crisis affecting individuals and families across the United States. For those seeking recovery, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) has proven to be one of the most effective tools in reducing cravings, preventing relapse, and supporting long-term sobriety. Among the medications used in MAT, Sublocade has become increasingly popular because of its unique delivery method and long-lasting effects.
But many people considering this treatment want to know:How Long Does Sublocade Stay In Your System? Understanding this timeline is important for patients, family members, and even healthcare providers.
What is Sublocade?
Sublocade is a brand-name prescription medication that contains buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist. Unlike daily oral medications such as Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone), Sublocade is delivered as a monthly injection under the skin of the abdomen.
The injection slowly releases buprenorphine into the bloodstream over a period of weeks. This steady release helps stabilize patients, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms without the “high” associated with opioids. Sublocade is generally used for people who have already started buprenorphine treatment and are stable on daily doses before transitioning to the monthly injection.
How Sublocade Works in the Body
Once injected, Sublocade forms a small gel-like depot under the skin. This depot gradually releases buprenorphine into the bloodstream over the course of a month. The slow release allows patients to maintain steady levels of the medication without needing daily dosing.
Because of this unique delivery system, Sublocade stays in the body far longer than many other medications.
The Half-Life of Sublocade
To understand how long Sublocade stays in your system, it’s important to look at its half-life. A drug’s half-life is the time it takes for the concentration of the medication in the body to reduce by half.
Sublocade’s half-life ranges from 43 to 60 days.
This means it takes more than a month and a half for the body to eliminate just half of the medication.
As a result, it can take several months for Sublocade to fully clear from the system after the last injection.
How Long Does Sublocade Stay in Your System?
On average, Sublocade can remain detectable in the body for:
2 to 5 months after the last dose.
In some cases, traces of buprenorphine from Sublocade may be present for even longer, depending on the individual.
This is much longer than oral buprenorphine, which typically leaves the system in a matter of days.
Factors That Influence How Long Sublocade Stays
Several factors affect how long Sublocade remains in the system:
Dosage
Higher doses of Sublocade (e.g., 300 mg vs. 100 mg) will stay in the body longer.
Frequency of Use
Patients who have been on Sublocade for many months or years may take longer to fully clear the drug than those who only received one or two injections.
Metabolism
People with faster metabolisms may process and eliminate the medication more quickly.
Liver Function
Because buprenorphine is metabolized by the liver, impaired liver function can slow down the clearance of the drug.
Overall Health and Age
Younger, healthier individuals often metabolize drugs faster than older adults or those with health conditions.
Detection of Sublocade in Drug Tests
Another common concern is whether Sublocade will show up on a drug test. Standard drug tests often check for opioids, but they do not always detect buprenorphine unless specifically tested for.
Urine tests: Buprenorphine from Sublocade may be detectable for several months after the last injection.
Blood tests: Can detect Sublocade for weeks to months, depending on the last dose.
Hair follicle tests: May show evidence of buprenorphine use for up to 90 days or more.
For patients in recovery programs, it’s important to disclose Sublocade treatment to avoid confusion during drug screenings.
Why the Long Duration Matters
The extended release of Sublocade is one of its greatest advantages. Here’s why its long duration in the body is beneficial:
Consistent Medication Levels: Helps prevent cravings and withdrawal symptoms without daily ups and downs.
Convenience: No need to take a pill every day, making treatment easier to stick with.
Reduced Risk of Misuse: Unlike oral medications, there’s no risk of forgetting, losing, or misusing the dose.
Relapse Prevention: Even if a patient misses their next injection appointment, the medication continues to work for weeks.
Considerations Before Starting Sublocade
While Sublocade is highly effective, patients should be aware of its long-lasting presence in the body. For example:
If you stop Sublocade, withdrawal symptoms may not appear for several weeks, but they can eventually develop.
If you need surgery or pain management, it’s crucial to inform doctors that you are on Sublocade, since it can interfere with opioid pain medications.
If you become pregnant, you should discuss the risks and benefits with your healthcare provider, since the drug remains active for months.
Final Thoughts
So, how long does Sublocade stay in your system? The answer is: typically 2 to 5 months after the last injection, depending on dosage, metabolism, and overall health. Its long half-life and extended release are exactly what make Sublocade such a powerful tool in treating opioid addiction it provides steady protection against cravings and relapse for weeks at a time.
For individuals considering treatment, Sublocade offers freedom from daily medication schedules and peace of mind knowing that recovery support is always working in the background. However, because of its long duration, it’s important to work closely with a healthcare provider when starting or stopping Sublocade.
Takeaway: Sublocade stays in your system much longer than most medications—several months after the last dose. This unique feature makes it one of the most effective options for long-term recovery support in opioid addiction treatment.
