"This is the first good news we’ve had in years," said Dr. Ken Lee, medical director of the London Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) clinic.
A study from the London, Ont.-based clinic found that Sublocade helps prevent fentanyl overdoses among patients treated for opioid addiction.
The analysis found that while nearly 10 percent of patients receiving opioid-replacement therapy experienced a non-fatal overdose, those taking Sublocade were the least likely to suffer an overdose event. According to the study, fewer than five people taking the medication died or overdosed during the two-year period, CBC noted.
The study compared four medications—methadone, Suboxone, Kadian, and Sublocade—all of which bind to the same opioid receptors in the brain to mitigate cravings and withdrawal symptoms without inducing a high. Data from the research highlighted a stark contrast in mortality rates for patients on these treatments:
- Methadone: 58 deaths recorded.
- Suboxone: 37 deaths recorded.
- Kadian: 18 deaths recorded.
- No medication: 640 deaths recorded.
He said that the medication offers a secondary benefit by providing protection against fentanyl overdoses for the duration of the month.
Unlike methadone, Suboxone, and Kadian, which require daily oral administration at a pharmacy, Sublocade is administered as a monthly injection. This delivery method allows patients to visit a clinic once a month, which Lee said contributes to the medication’s efficacy and patient satisfaction.
With the older treatments, you don’t get that secondary protection," Lee told CBC. He cautioned, however, that the medication does not provide protection against overdoses involving substances other than fentanyl.
Dr. Lee has already presented these findings at medical conferences in San Diego and Portland. He is scheduled to formally present the full analysis at the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine conference next week.
According to the study, the roughly 1,000 patients treated with Sublocade at the London clinic have reported high levels of satisfaction with the monthly regimen. Lee cited the research as evidence that there is currently no other option providing such comprehensive protection against fentanyl overdose deaths.
Does Sublocade protect against all drug overdoses?
No. Dr. Lee emphasized that the medication specifically provides protection against fentanyl, but it does not prevent overdoses involving other drugs.
How does the administration of Sublocade differ from older treatments?
Sublocade is administered as a monthly injection, whereas methadone, Suboxone, and Kadian are taken orally on a daily basis at a pharmacy.
The research was conducted by the London Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) clinic in London, Ontario, and analyzed data from over 45,000 residents across the province.
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