Probuphine
Probuphine is buprenorphine in the form of an implant. The implant is a small, solid rod. The implant is placed under the skin, usually in the upper arm, by a doctor in a simple office procedure.
Probuphine patients get 6 months of continuous buprenorphine dosing from a single implant.
Buprenorphine is a medication used to treat addiction to heroin or pain killers like Oxycontin. Buprenorphine prevents physical withdrawal from opiates, limits cravings for opiates, and blocks the effects of heroin, Oxycontin or other opiates.
Current formulations of buprenorphine (brand names Suboxone and Subutex) are in pill form or film form and are to be taken orally and absorbed under the tongue, usually in daily doses.
Potential benefits of using buprenorphine in the form of an implant include:
- you don’t have to worry about taking a medication every day
- you don’t have to experience the nasty Suboxone orange flavor every day
- you don’t have to worry about your medication being lost, stolen or sold
- if you go to jail or rehab for a while during the time the implant is working, you won’t experience an interruption in medication (or go into withdrawal)
Probuphine is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials, and is not yet available to the public.
Probuphine is a product of Titan Pharmaceuticals.
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Hello. I’m afraid I’m going to lose my son. He is 37 years old and has been in rehab a dozen times. He says he wants help. Are there any studies he can become a part of that include the Probuphine Implant? I will pay to send him anywhere to get this. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mitzie Greene
Hi Mitzie,
My understanding is that the current probuphine study has closed enrollment. Your son says that he wants help, and he has backed that up with major effort and action –he’s been to residential treatment a dozen times. Since your son has been to rehab many times and, in spite of his best efforts and intentions, has been unable to maintain abstinence from opiates, it makes sense for him to consider treatment with buprenorphine (Suboxone or Subutex) or methadone. The buprenorphine implant (Probuphine) looks promising and I’m looking forward to this new option. But FDA approval is probably months away. Many people have had excellent success with buprenorphine tablets, and it is very possible that your son will have the same wonderful experience.
If you have not already, you and your son might benefit from reading 10 Things You Should Know About Methadone (find a link under the Methadone tab at the top of this page).
Also, you will find a link to the US governments buprenorphine doctor locator under the Suboxone tab at the top of this page.
Best of luck to you and your son.
Tom
I am a visiting nurse and work with addicts. I am wondering if probuphine contains naloxone as I have had patients that could not tolerate that part of the suboxone and had to stay on subutex. It sounds like a great option if it is available without the naloxone.
Hi Emily –The naloxone in Suboxone is added to discourage injecting of the medication. It’s unlikely that the manufacturer will include naloxone in Probuphine since this is an implant and there is no risk of the implant being injected. Thanks for reading and commenting!
That’s fabulous! When will it be available?
It’s not clear when exactly Probuphine will get FDA approval, but it seems like it will happen at some point since studies so far have gone well. A confirmatory clinical trial is just wrapping up so new data should be out soon.
Is there a lot of excitement out there for this treatment? Will the need to “implant” the drug under a patient’s skin be a major hurdle in its acceptance?
I would like to get more info about the saboxone implant. is there a doctor in birmingham, alabama that does this?
Please let me know asap.
Thanks,
Jennifer Cooper
Hi Jennifer–Probuphine (the buprenorphine implant) is not yet available because it is still in the FDA approval process. I will be keeping this page updated so check back as you are able for up to date information. Tom
Do u know if is gonna be in different mg doses?
Hi Sean–Yes there are different dosing options.
The implants are such an interesting,novel concept.
If Buprenorphine can actually remain in system as a steady dose for 6 months,then this is nothing short of a miracle!
Probupine would be greatly adapted by those currently taking suboxone or subutex.
Not sure how the science of the implant rod works,but if its proven to be safe and effective,then I am all for Probuphine entering the market.