Brixadi Near Me
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a growing epidemic in the United States. Overdose deaths from prescription and illicit opioids have skyrocketed in recent years. But it's not just a problem in the US or Houston, it is in The Woodlands, Texas too. Remember the 2 high school overdose deaths in 2022? The problem is real and it's all around us.
Opioid use disorder is a real disease and not a problem of morality. People with this disorder go from enjoying euphoria (high) to a life filled with constant cravings and withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms are painful. Within several weeks of using opioids, people become hooked and eventually stop experiencing the high. Instead, they become enslaved to using opioids just to avoid the painful withdrawals. When they can't get prescription opioids, they turn to friends, family, and drug dealers for drugs. These illicit drugs can be laced with heroin, fentanyl, tianeptine, nitazenes, kratom, and xylazine placing users at high risk for overdose death.
Fortunately, new medications like Brixadi and Sublocade provide healthcare professionals with more tools to treat this complex disorder. This post will cover everything you need to know about using Brixadi to treat opioid dependence.
What is Brixadi?
Brixadi is the brand name for a buprenorphine extended-release injection used to treat opioid use disorder. It received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2023. That is very new but using buprenorphine to treat opioid addiction is decades old.
Brixadi treatment is available in both weekly and monthly doses. The weekly injections contain dosages of 8 mg, 16 mg, 24 mg, or 32 mg of buprenorphine. The monthly doses contain 64 mg, 96 mg, or 128 mg. The injection is given underneath the skin of the buttock, thigh, or abdomen. There, it slowly dissolves into the bloodstream.
,
How Does Brixadi Treat Opioid Addiction?
Brixadi belongs to a class of medications called partial opioid agonists. It activates the same opioid receptors in the brain that other opioids like heroin or prescription pain pills do. However, it activates these receptors less strongly than full agonists. So, no high occurs and no loss of control occurs.
This helps reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms. At the same time, it has a “ceiling effect” so higher doses don’t produce euphoric highs and won't depress your ability to breathe.
When combined with counseling, partial agonists like Brixadi facilitate opioid detox and long-term recovery.
What Are the Benefits of Brixadi Injections?
Brixadi offers a valuable new tool for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) of opioid use disorder. Here are some key benefits:
Extended-release formula. The Brixadi subcutaneous injection slowly releases buprenorphine over 1 week to 1 month depending on the dose. So patients don’t have to take it daily. This improves compliance.
Fewer peaks and troughs. Levels of buprenorphine stay steadier compared to oral tablets and films that fluctuate widely. This minimizes side effects.
Harder to misuse. The injection formulation almost eliminates diversion, misuse, and abuse risks that exist with daily sublingual films or tablets.
Better treatment outcomes. Clinical trials found that Brixadi matched or outperformed conventional oral buprenorphine. For example, it produced higher rates of opioid-free urine drug tests.
What Are Possible Side Effects of Brixadi?
The most common side effects of Brixadi are:
Injection site reactions (e.g. pain, itching, redness)
Headaches
Nausea
Insomnia
Constipation
More serious side effects may include:
Respiratory depression
Neonatal opioid withdrawal (if used during pregnancy)
Adrenal insufficiency
Patients with liver problems should use caution when using Brixadi.
What is the Brixadi REMS Program?
Due to the risks of IV misuse, the FDA requires Brixadi to be dispensed through a restricted program called a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). Under this program:
Healthcare providers must be REMS certified to store supplies of Brixadi
Pharmacies must be certified to order and dispense Brixadi
Providers cannot transfer Brixadi to patients directly
The goal is to reduce harm by ensuring proper administration and monitoring.
Who is a Good Candidate for Brixadi?
Patients with opioid use disorder who:
Have tried medication-assisted treatment before.
Struggle with compliance using daily buprenorphine.
Misuse or divert buprenorphine tablets/films.
Want an opioid detox and maintenance plan that fits their lifestyle.
Talk to us at (832) 653-9888 and see if Brixadi is right for your OUD recovery needs.
How is the First Brixadi Dose Administered?
If new to treatment, patients should take at least one dose of oral buprenorphine first to make sure they tolerate buprenorphine.
If currently using transmucosal buprenorphine, patients can switch directly to Brixadi without needing an oral test dose.
The first injection is usually 16 mg. A healthcare provider may give an extra 8 mg within 3 days if needed.
Subsequent weekly or monthly doses get tailored to the patient’s needs.
Where Can I Find Brixadi Near Me?
Since the Brixadi REMS program strictly controls its distribution, you may wonder - where can I find a medical professional to prescribe Brixadi near me?
The best approach is to schedule a consultation with one of our addiction medicine experts at Premier Health & Wellness The Woodlands. We serve the greater Houston metro area.
Our clinical team can determine if Brixadi or another option is appropriate for your situation.
Don't continue struggling with opioid dependence alone. Call us today at (832) 653-9888 to ask any and all questions about Brixadi for OUD treatment or to set up an appointment. We offer comprehensive support to help you achieve sobriety one step at a time.
This website is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician or another qualified medical professional. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.