Updated guidance has been developed to inform clinicians prescribing and administering long-acting injectable buprenorphine (LAIB) preparations.
LAIB formulations currently registered in Australia are: Buvidal Weekly and Buvidal Monthly, manufactured by Camurus; and Sublocade, manufactured by Indivior. These products are available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) under an s100 opioid-dependence listing.
The guidance is an update of the first (interim) NSW Clinical guidelines for use of depot buprenorphine (Buvidal and Sublocade) in the treatment of opioid dependence, published in 2019. It incorporates clinical and consumer experience, research evidence, and updated product information for both LAIB formulations since the 2019 guideline.
The updated guidance was developed by Professors Nicholas Lintzeris and Adrian Dunlop, and Michelle Shulz, and edited by Claire Harper.
Two versions are available:
Hear author Nick Lintzeris discuss LAIB, and what's new in the updated guidance, in this episode of the In Hindsight podcast.
All resources should be used in conjunction with the NSW Clinical Guidelines: Treatment of Opioid Dependence (noting that updates to this document are anticipated).
