Sublocade can stay in your system for several months after your last injection. In some people, buprenorphine from Sublocade may remain detectable for 12 months or longer after stopping treatment, especially after multiple monthly injections.
That answer surprises people because Sublocade is different from Suboxone, Subutex, or short-acting buprenorphine tablets and films. Sublocade is a monthly extended-release buprenorphine injection. After it is injected under the skin of the abdomen, it forms a small medication depot that slowly releases buprenorphine over time.
So when someone asks, “How long does Sublocade stay in your system?” there are really a few different answers:
| Question | General Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does Sublocade keep releasing medication? | About one month per injection, but release can continue longer |
| What is Sublocade’s half-life? | Roughly 43 to 60 days |
| How long can buprenorphine remain detectable after stopping Sublocade? | Several months, sometimes 12 months or longer after repeated doses |
| How long before withdrawal starts? | Withdrawal may be delayed for weeks or months |
| Can Sublocade show up on a drug test? | Yes, if the test screens for buprenorphine |
What Is Sublocade?
Sublocade is the brand name for an extended-release buprenorphine injection used to treat opioid use disorder. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. That means it activates opioid receptors enough to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, but it does not produce the same full opioid effect as drugs like fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, or hydrocodone.
Sublocade is given once per month by a medical provider. It is injected under the skin and should never be injected into a vein, muscle, or anywhere else. The medication is designed to slowly release buprenorphine over time, helping people stay stable without needing to take daily buprenorphine tablets or films.
Why Sublocade Stays in the Body So Long
Sublocade stays in the body longer than many other forms of buprenorphine because of how it is made. After injection, the medication turns into a solid depot under the skin. That depot slowly breaks down and releases buprenorphine into the bloodstream.
This is why Sublocade can continue working after the injection date has passed. It is also why the medication can still be detected long after someone receives their last shot.
The long duration is intentional. For many people with opioid use disorder, this is one of the main benefits. It can help reduce missed doses, lower the risk of impulsive relapse, and make treatment less dependent on daily medication routines.
Sublocade Half-Life
Sublocade’s apparent terminal half-life is about 43 to 60 days. A half-life is the amount of time it takes for the body to reduce the amount of a drug by about half.
Because Sublocade has such a long half-life, it takes much longer to clear than regular buprenorphine tablets or films.
A simple way to think about it:
| Time After Last Sublocade Shot | What May Be Happening |
|---|---|
| 1 month | Medication is still releasing from the depot |
| 2 to 3 months | Buprenorphine levels may still be clinically meaningful |
| 4 to 6 months | Levels may continue declining slowly |
| 6 to 12 months | Some people may still test positive depending on dose history and test sensitivity |
| 12 months or longer | Possible in some people after long-term monthly treatment |
This does not mean everyone will feel the effects for a full year. It means buprenorphine can remain present in the body for a long time, especially after repeated injections.
How Long Does Sublocade Show Up on a Drug Test?
Sublocade may show up on a drug test if the test includes buprenorphine. Not every standard drug test checks for buprenorphine. Many basic drug panels test for opioids such as morphine, heroin metabolites, oxycodone, or fentanyl, but buprenorphine often requires a specific test.
If buprenorphine is included, Sublocade may be detectable for months after the last injection.
| Drug Test Type | Sublocade Detection Window |
|---|---|
| Urine test | Often weeks to months, depending on dose history and test sensitivity |
| Blood test | Shorter than urine in many cases, but can still reflect ongoing medication release |
| Saliva test | Possible, but less commonly used for long-term Sublocade detection |
| Hair test | May show exposure for several months, depending on hair length and testing method |
The exact detection window depends on:
- How many Sublocade injections someone received
- Whether they were on 100 mg or 300 mg injections
- How long they were in treatment
- Metabolism
- Liver function
- Body composition
- Hydration
- Test sensitivity
- Whether the lab tests for buprenorphine or norbuprenorphine
Will Sublocade Make You Fail a Drug Test?
Sublocade can produce a positive result for buprenorphine if the test is designed to detect it. This is not the same as testing positive for heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, or other opioids.
If Sublocade is prescribed, the person should disclose the prescription to the testing authority, employer medical review officer, probation officer, treatment provider, or lab when appropriate. A valid prescription or medical record can help explain why buprenorphine appears on a drug screen.
A positive buprenorphine result does not automatically mean illicit opioid use. It may simply mean the person is taking or recently took a prescribed medication for opioid use disorder.
Sublocade vs. Suboxone: Which Stays Longer?
Sublocade stays in the body much longer than Suboxone because Sublocade is an extended-release injection. Suboxone is usually taken daily as a film or tablet. Sublocade slowly releases buprenorphine for weeks and can remain detectable for months.
| Medication | Form | How Long It Works | How Long It May Stay Detectable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suboxone | Daily buprenorphine/naloxone film or tablet | Usually about 24 hours per dose | Often several days, sometimes longer |
| Subutex | Buprenorphine tablet | Usually about 24 hours per dose | Often several days, sometimes longer |
| Sublocade | Monthly buprenorphine injection | About one month per injection, with longer gradual release | Months, sometimes 12 months or longer |
| Brixadi | Weekly or monthly buprenorphine injection | Weekly or monthly depending on formulation | Varies by dose and formulation |
This is why switching off Sublocade is not like stopping daily Suboxone. The medication leaves slowly, and withdrawal can be delayed.
How Long Does Sublocade Withdrawal Take to Start?
Sublocade withdrawal can start later than people expect. With daily buprenorphine, withdrawal may begin within a few days after stopping. With Sublocade, withdrawal may not appear for weeks or even months because the medication continues releasing slowly.
Some people experience little to no withdrawal after stopping Sublocade, especially if they taper properly or stop after a stable period. Others may notice symptoms gradually as buprenorphine levels fall.
Possible Sublocade withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Trouble sleeping
- Sweating
- Chills
- Muscle aches
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Cravings
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Trouble concentrating
The symptoms may be less sudden than withdrawal from short-acting opioids, but they can still be uncomfortable and emotionally difficult.
Sublocade Withdrawal Timeline
There is no single Sublocade withdrawal timeline that applies to everyone. The medication leaves the body slowly, so symptoms can be delayed and stretched out.
| Time After Last Injection | Possible Experience |
|---|---|
| First month | Many people still have medication coverage from the last shot |
| 1 to 3 months | Buprenorphine levels decline, but many people still feel some protection from withdrawal |
| 3 to 6 months | Some people begin noticing anxiety, sleep problems, cravings, or low energy |
| 6 to 12 months | Most medication has cleared for many people, but detection may still be possible in some cases |
| 12 months or longer | Rare but possible detection after long-term treatment |
Some people do not feel noticeable withdrawal until months after their last injection. This delayed timeline can be confusing because symptoms may show up after someone thought they were “already off” Sublocade.
Factors That Affect How Long Sublocade Stays in Your System
Sublocade does not clear at the exact same speed for everyone. Several factors can change the timeline.
| Factor | How It Can Matter |
|---|---|
| Number of injections | More monthly doses can lead to longer detection after stopping |
| Dose strength | 300 mg injections may last longer than 100 mg injections |
| Treatment length | Long-term treatment can create a longer clearance period |
| Liver health | Buprenorphine is processed mainly through the liver |
| Body composition | The depot and drug distribution may vary by person |
| Metabolism | Some people process medications faster than others |
| Other medications | Some drugs can affect buprenorphine metabolism |
| Test type | Urine, blood, saliva, and hair tests have different detection windows |
Can You Speed Up Sublocade Leaving Your System?
No reliable or safe method can quickly flush Sublocade out of your system. Drinking excessive water, using detox drinks, sweating, fasting, or taking supplements will not remove the injection depot.
Sublocade is designed to leave slowly. The safest approach is medical guidance, not trying to force the medication out.
Trying to rush the process can create problems, especially if someone stops treatment without relapse prevention, therapy, medical monitoring, or a plan for cravings.
What Happens If You Stop Sublocade?
Stopping Sublocade should be done with a medical provider. Some people stop after a stable period in recovery. Others transition to another medication, continue therapy, or build a relapse prevention plan before discontinuing.
Stopping Sublocade too suddenly may increase the risk of:
- Opioid cravings returning
- Delayed withdrawal symptoms
- Relapse to fentanyl, heroin, or prescription opioids
- Lower opioid tolerance
- Higher overdose risk if relapse occurs
- Anxiety or depression returning
- Sleep problems
- Dropping out of treatment support
One of the biggest risks is reduced tolerance. If someone stops Sublocade and later returns to fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, or another opioid, their body may not tolerate the amount they used before. That can raise overdose risk.
Sublocade and Fentanyl Relapse Risk
Sublocade can help protect against opioid cravings and withdrawal, but it is not a guarantee against relapse. If someone stops Sublocade and returns to fentanyl or other opioids, the risk can become serious.
Fentanyl is highly potent, unpredictable, and often mixed into counterfeit pills or other street drugs. After a period of reduced opioid use, tolerance drops. That means a dose someone previously survived may become dangerous later.
Anyone stopping Sublocade should have a relapse prevention plan, access to naloxone, and ongoing support.
Is Sublocade Detox the Same as Opioid Detox?
Sublocade detox is different from detoxing off short-acting opioids. With fentanyl, heroin, or oxycodone, withdrawal can start quickly and become intense within a few days. With Sublocade, the medication tapers itself slowly because of the extended-release depot.
That slow release can make withdrawal less abrupt, but it can also make symptoms harder to predict.
| Substance | Withdrawal Onset | Typical Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Heroin | Often within hours | Fast onset, intense acute withdrawal |
| Oxycodone | Often within 12 to 24 hours | Acute symptoms over several days |
| Fentanyl | Can be complex and prolonged | May involve delayed or difficult withdrawal |
| Suboxone | Often within a few days | Longer than short-acting opioids |
| Sublocade | Often delayed weeks to months | Gradual decline, delayed withdrawal possible |
Should You Detox From Sublocade Alone?
You should not stop Sublocade without talking to a medical provider. While Sublocade withdrawal may be delayed or gradual, the bigger concern is relapse risk.
People are more likely to need support if they:
- Have a history of fentanyl or heroin use
- Have relapsed after stopping medication before
- Have severe anxiety or depression
- Are stopping because of pressure from someone else
- Do not have stable housing or recovery support
- Have ongoing cravings
- Are using alcohol, benzodiazepines, stimulants, or other drugs
- Have chronic pain
- Are worried about passing a drug test
Stopping medication is not the same thing as being recovered. Recovery needs support, structure, and a plan.
Treatment Support After Sublocade
For many people, Sublocade is one part of recovery, not the whole recovery plan. Therapy, relapse prevention, mental health treatment, peer support, family support, and aftercare can all matter.
Treatment after Sublocade may include:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Relapse prevention planning
- Medication management
- Dual diagnosis care
- Trauma therapy
- Family education
- Case management
- Sober living support
- Outpatient treatment
- Alumni or continuing care support
The goal is not simply to get buprenorphine out of the body. The goal is to stay safe, avoid relapse, and build a life that does not revolve around opioid use.
Sublocade can stay in your system much longer than most people expect. Because it is a monthly extended-release injection, it slowly releases buprenorphine over time. The medication may remain detectable for months, and in some people, especially after repeated injections, it may be detectable for 12 months or longer.
That long duration can be helpful in recovery, but it also means stopping Sublocade should be planned carefully. Withdrawal may be delayed, drug tests may remain positive for buprenorphine, and relapse risk can increase if someone stops without support.
If you are worried about Sublocade withdrawal, drug testing, or what happens after stopping medication-assisted treatment, the safest next step is to speak with a qualified addiction treatment provider.
FAQ: How Long Does Sublocade Stay in Your System?
How long does Sublocade stay in your system after one shot?
After one injection, Sublocade can remain in your body for weeks to months. The medication is designed to release slowly over a month, but buprenorphine may remain detectable longer depending on the test used.
How long does Sublocade stay in your system after several shots?
After several monthly injections, Sublocade can stay in your system for several months. In some cases, buprenorphine may be detectable for 12 months or longer after the last injection.
What is Sublocade’s half-life?
Sublocade’s apparent terminal half-life is about 43 to 60 days. That long half-life is due to the slow release of buprenorphine from the injection depot under the skin.
Does Sublocade show up as an opioid?
Sublocade may show up as buprenorphine if the drug test includes buprenorphine. It should not usually show up as heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, or morphine unless those substances are also present.
Can you pass a drug test while on Sublocade?
You may test positive for buprenorphine while on Sublocade. If it is prescribed, documentation from your provider can help explain the result.
How long after stopping Sublocade does withdrawal start?
Sublocade withdrawal may be delayed for weeks or months because the medication leaves slowly. Some people have mild symptoms, while others experience anxiety, insomnia, cravings, stomach problems, and body aches as levels decline.
Can you remove Sublocade from your body faster?
No safe or proven method can quickly remove Sublocade from the body. The medication depot breaks down gradually. Detox drinks, excessive water, sweating, or supplements will not reliably speed up the process.
Is stopping Sublocade dangerous?
Stopping Sublocade can increase relapse risk if it is done without medical guidance and recovery support. The main danger is returning to opioids after tolerance has dropped, which can increase overdose risk.
Sources
- Indivior Inc. (2025). Sublocade (buprenorphine extended-release) injection, for subcutaneous use: Prescribing information. https://www.sublocade.com/Content/pdf/prescribing-information.pdf
- Indivior Inc. (2025). Sublocade medication guide. https://www.sublocade.com/Content/pdf/medication-guide.pdf
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Chapter 3D: Buprenorphine. In Medications for opioid use disorder: Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) series, no. 63. National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK574909/
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2025). What is buprenorphine? Side effects, treatment, and use. https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/options/buprenorphine
- American Society of Addiction Medicine. (2020). The ASAM national practice guideline for the treatment of opioid use disorder. https://www.asam.org/quality-care/clinical-guidelines/national-practice-guideline
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Medications for opioid use disorder: Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) series, no. 63. National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK574913/
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2017). FDA approves first once-monthly buprenorphine injection, a medication-assisted treatment option for opioid use disorder. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-once-monthly-buprenorphine-injection-medication-assisted-treatment-option-opioid-use-disorder