How effective is Buvidal?

Buprenorphine as a tablet, Espranor wafer or film vs. Buvidal injection

Buprenorphine is safe, effective and the most widely used treatment for opioid dependence globally, usually available as a sublingual tablet, wafer or film that patients take daily. For example, Espranor is a commonly used buprenorphine wafer requiring frequent consumption. However, this form of administration has a number of drawbacks. These include frequent trips to the chemist, supervised consumption, travelling with a controlled drug, potential loss or theft, and the need to always keep it safe away from children. A Buvidal depot injection solves all these complications. ​

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The buprenorphine contained in a Buvidal injection is delivered through FluidCrystal. This is, a versatile, cutting edge drug delivery technology designed and utilised for long-acting treatments. It was created to improve therapeutic performance, treatment adherence and clinical outcomes – and ultimately the patient’s quality of life. This technology provides optimal performance for Buvidal injections. The Buvidal injection cost at our clinic is the same as the pharmacy cost of it.

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Click here to access 3 case studies published on Case Reports in Psychiatry 2019 by our medical director.

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Advantages of Buvidal Treatment

The most distinctive benefits of Buvidal are:

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• Convenience. No need for pharmacy pickups or daily reminders to take medication. 

• Healthier lifestyle - improved mood, sleep, mental clarity, and energy.

• Freedom to travel without having to worry about losing medication or having to obtain travel letters to be allowed to travel with your medication.

• Long-lasting effect. Buvidal doses can be administered as weekly or monthly doses.

• Buvidal doses prevent withdrawal symptoms, so the patient can focus on therapy, eliminating drug related thought patterns and behavioural changes.

• Minimised opioid cravings.

• Buvidal injections are a viable alternative to methadone for patients who are unable to use methadone as treatment medication.

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Buvidal treatment is now available to The OAD Clinic patients.

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What you need to know Before starting Buvidal Treatment

The following considerations will determine suitability for Buvidal treatment and must be looked at by any clinician before initiating treatment:

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• If you are allergic or have had an allergic reaction to buprenorphine or any of the other ingredients (read the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflet for the full list of ingredients)

• If you are under 16 years of age. The effectiveness and safety of Buvidal injections have not been established for patients under 16

• If you suffer from serious medical conditions involving your liver, your breathing, delirium tremens or alcohol use disorders.
   

What you need to know During Buvidal Treatment

When receiving a monthly opioid blocker shot, there are several important factors you need to be aware of and certain things you should do. Things you should do while taking Buvidal injections include:​

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• Remind any healthcare professional (dentist, doctor, pharmacist, surgeon) that you are receiving a monthly opioid blocker shot

• Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Buvidal injections

• Make a record of all of your doctor’s appointments

• Attend liver function tests to ensure that the medication is working properly 

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Things you should not do:

• Suddenly stop treatment. This may cause withdrawal symptoms. Discuss stopping treatment with your prescriber first

• Drive or operate machinery if drowsy or dizzy. Buvidal injections can cause drowsiness or dizziness in some people 

• Drink alcohol. Alcohol can increase the risk of respiratory failure and cause dizziness
   

Things to be aware of

Here are several important things to be aware of if you are on a monthly opioid blocker shot and which should be discussed with your prescriber:
 

• Breathing problems. A combination of similar medications containing buprenorphine combined with benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids, alcohol, or other opioids have been linked to respiratory depression (reduced ability to breathe)

• Drowsiness. This medication might cause drowsiness in some people, especially when used in conjunction with alcohol or depressants such as sedatives, benzodiazepines, tranquilisers, gabapentinoids, or hypnotics

• Liver damage. Long-term misuse of buprenorphine has been linked to liver damage

• Blood pressure. Blood pressure may drop when taking this medication, leading to dizziness

• Anti-doping. This medication might cause a positive reaction for athletes taking anti-doping tests

• Masking unrelated medical conditions. This medication might affect the accurate diagnosis of other medical conditions

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Talk to your prescriber or come to our clinic to be assessed

If you have any other medical condition or are taking other medications, check suitability for this type of treatment with your doctor. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or intend to fall pregnant, also check your suitability for this treatment with your doctor. 

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How Buvidal is administered

A Buvidal injection for drug addiction or alcohol dependence can be administered monthly or weekly depending on your needs. A healthcare professional will administer the injection subcutaneously (under the skin) in the abdomen. Your doctor might also eventually switch you from monthly to weekly injections, or vice versa.

 

How to start Buvidal Treatment

Here at The OAD Clinic we offer Buvidal treatment for our patients. Your prescriber will prescribe a starting dose, which may increase or decrease over time depending on how you progress through the treatment. During the first few days, your prescriber will monitor you closely to evaluate any occurring side effects and discuss how you get on with the medication. This may take anywhere from 2 to 5 days. Drowsiness is common when first taking Buvidal. 

 

You will know that you have adjusted to the medication once you:

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• Feel comfortable

• Are no longer drowsy or sleepy

• Are not craving opioids

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Side Effects of Buvidal Injections

Like any type of medication, there are possible side effects to receiving Buvidal injections. These include less serious side effects, such as:
 

• Decreased appetite 

• Swelling on injection site, legs and/or arms

• Itchiness 

• Dizziness and drowsiness

• Headaches

• Difficulty sleeping

• Flushing and redness on the injection site

• Pain on injection site, body 

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation

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If you experience the above, speak to your prescriber. Severe side effects are very rare, however if you experience any of the side effects mentioned below, we recommend informing us while seeking urgent medical attention:

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• Difficulty breathing

• Swelling of face, eyes, lips, throat, hands 

• Rash covering the whole body

• Respiratory depression (weak or reduced breathing)

• Yellowing eyes or skin

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Starting Buvidal Injections for Opioid Use Disorders

If you have an opioid use disorder and want to start Buvidal treatment, you will first need to speak with a prescriber to discuss whether Buvidal therapy is right for you. You may need a referral letter from a nurse or doctor if you are visiting the UK. Your prescriber will go through all of your treatment options and what you can expect from Buvidal injections. 

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Countries We Serve

The OAD Clinic is an internationally recognised addictions clinic specialised in, Buvidal maintenance treatment programmes. Buvidal maintenance treatment is also available to patients from the United States, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. We encourage individuals from these countries with a substance use disorder to get in touch with us.

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Your journey to recovery starts here. Get in touch with us today for more information.

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FAQs

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How long do Buvidal injections take to work?
Buvidal injections could take up to six weeks until you begin to feel stable. This means that you are no longer craving opioids and feeling sleepy, and you start to feel more comfortable. 
 

What are the dosage amounts of Buvidal injections?
Buvidal injections are available in doses of the following strengths: 8mg, 16mg, 24mg, 32 mg, 64mg, 96mg, 128mg and 160mg.

Can I take other medication alongside Buvidal therapy?
Certain medications are not compatible and should not be used with Buvidal injections. They are likely to affect how the injections work. This includes benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids, alcohol, cannabis, naltrexone and nalmefene, and tricyclic antidepressants among others.

Do Buvidal injections require a prescription? 
Buvidal injections can only be obtained when prescribed by a prescriber.

Can I receive Buvidal treatment if I am pregnant or planning a pregnancy?
The clinician will need to know if you plan on receiving Buvidal injections while pregnant, if you are planning a pregnancy, or if you become pregnant during treatment.

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