Brixadi Weekly Monthly Opioid Treatment: A breakthrough in battling the opioid crisis: Brixadi® takes center stage as an FDA-approved, long-acting treatment for OUD. Discover how this game-changing injectable could rewrite the rules of addiction recovery. Don’t miss out!
The subcutaneous injection of buprenorphine (Brixadi®) is now used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). This approved drug benefits those who started treatment with a single dose of transmucosal buprenorphine or are already on buprenorphine treatment. Brixadi is part of a treatment plan with counseling and support backed by Phase 3 trial data.
The FDA approved Brixadi based on Phase 3 study results. This trial compared Brixadi’s effectiveness to sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone, the standard of care for moderate to severe OUD. The study showed positive results, supporting its use in treating OUDs. Brixadi can be given via weekly or monthly injections in the buttock, thigh, belly, or upper arm. The weekly dose is for those who can handle a 4mg dose of transmucosal buprenorphine, while the monthly shot is for those already on treatment.
The medicine has a Boxed Warning due to potential harm or death when given intravenously. Common side effects of Brixadi include injection site responses, headaches, constipation, nausea, sleeplessness, and urinary tract infections. To reduce risks, the medicine can only be obtained through a REMS program and should only be given by a certified healthcare worker in a healthcare setting. Brixadi is available in prefilled syringes for weekly or monthly use. You can’t add weekly amounts for a monthly dose. The medicine doesn’t require refrigeration, making storage and handling convenient.
Paul Johnson, Braeburn’s CCO, was optimistic about the drug’s OUD potential. “Brixadi is designed to align with doctors’ treatment of OUD by offering various dosing frequency options,” he said. Johnson stressed that Brixadi offers doctors and patients an FDA-approved, long-acting, extended-release option for buprenorphine treatment. This helps with OUD treatment problems. Brixadi’s acceptance is crucial during the ongoing opioid crisis. OUD is a big problem for doctors, and Brixadi aims to help by improving treatment plans for each patient.
Our Reader’s Queries
Is Brixadi weekly or monthly?
Administer BRIXADI (monthly) every 28 days. If needed, a BRIXADI (weekly) 8 mg injection can be given, as determined by the healthcare provider, up to a maximum dose of 32 mg per week of BRIXADI (weekly) or 128 mg per month of BRIXADI (monthly).
When will Brixadi be available?
Brixadi is meant to be a key component of a comprehensive treatment plan, which should encompass counseling and psychosocial support. The availability of Brixadi in the U.S. is anticipated in the autumn of 2023, and it will be integrated into the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program.
How is Brixadi administered?
Administer BRIXADI with one shot. Do not split it up. Inject BRIXADI slowly into the fatty tissue of the buttock, thigh, belly, or upper arm.
What is the difference between brixadi and Sublocade?
Brixadi and Sublocade differ in their injection sites. While Sublocade is administered in the lower abdomen or upper gluteus, Brixadi offers more options, including the upper arm. Both are subcutaneous injections, but Brixadi provides additional flexibility in where it can be administered.