First Buvidal Injection: What You Should Know

Buvidal is a relatively new treatment that has become available in the UK for heroin and opioid addiction. The main ingredient, Buprenorphine (Subutex), has been around for many years. First developed in 1965, it became available in America in the 80’s before crossing the pond. The first Buvidal injection is a significant step for many in their treatment journey.

Here at Find Me a Rehab we have experienced addictions clinicians with many years of experience in prescribing Buvidal. We provide free, confidential and impartial advice to all and can signpost you to free local services. If you need Heroin Addiction Help or are looking for Treatment for Heroin Addiction: Call or Email.

Buprenorphine (Subutex) is taken by mouth, either as a wafer that dissolves on the tongue, or a tablet that dissolves between your gum and your cheek. For many decades, Buprenorphine (Subutex) has been a mainstay of treatment for opioid use disorder. Alongside Methadone, though it works differently, it is very widely available through your local authority free services as well as private rehab centers and outpatient clinics. The transition to a Buvidal injection represents a pivotal change.

What is the advantage of an injection?

Oral Buprenorphine has to be taken daily (to begin with) and, in the early stages of treatment, you will need to go to the chemist every day. After a time, when your clinician feels you are ready, you will be able to collect your medication every week/two weeks and manage it yourself at home. Statutory/local authority services are, usually, quite strict on this as they have protocols agreed with the service commissioners (local authority). Private services can be more flexible. The first Buvidal injection eliminates this daily routine, offering convenience and consistency in your treatment plan.

With an injection, there is no chance of you forgetting to take your tablet. You do not need to go to the chemist, and you cannot lose your medication. No one can badger you for it, and you cannot take an overdose of it. All you have to do is attend every week/month, depending on your treatment plan.

For those who have not had Buprenorphine (Subutex) before, your clinician will prescribe a “test dose” of 4MG in tablet form. This is known as tolerance testing. The usual process is to take this at your first injection appointment and to stay for an hour to be monitored for side effects. While it is rare for someone to experience severe side effects, once you have had an injection, you cannot remove the medication. Therefore, having one tablet, if you do experience side effects, will not be dangerous. Staying for an hour to be monitored by staff ensures your safety during the first Buvidal injection process.

Here at Find Me a Rehab we have experienced addictions clinicians with many years of experience in prescribing Buvidal. We provide free, confidential and impartial advice to all and can signpost you to free local services. If you need Heroin Addiction Help or are looking for Treatment for Heroin Addiction: Call or Email.

Can I have Buvidal in a rehab centre?

Yes! It is possible to incorporate Buvidal as part of a treatment plan in a rehab centre. Buvidal is aimed at a more longer term use/reduction plan rather than a detox but can be started in rehab.

Approaching your first Buvidal injection

Initial assessment: The first step in forging a treatment plan with Buvidal is to have a comprehensive assessment with an experienced addictions clinician. During this assessment, your dependency will be assessed: Not judged. The questions asked are solely to ensure your safety and to draw up a collaborative treatment plan. This assessment is crucial before your first injection.

Injection site: It is possible to have the injection in the arm, abdomen, thigh, and buttock. The healthcare professional administering it will discuss this with you. As the injection sites need to be alternated, they will record the administration site.

Dosage: Buvidal doses are not an exact science. For those on oral forms of Buprenorphine, there are established equivalent doses. If you are new to Buprenorphine, you usually have an initial dose of Buvidal with an appointment to return in seven days. However, it is very common to have “top up” doses before the 7-day return appointment. This is why it is usually best to start Buvidal on a Monday so you can access top up doses during the week. Starting Buvidal on a Friday, especially over a bank holiday weekend, is to be avoided as, ordinarily, you will not be able to access top up doses and thus may resort to using opioids.

Going to your GP or accident and emergency department, sadly, will not be any use as they are not able to prescribe Buvidal. Even if they could, you will not find this item at a high street chemist.

Here at Find Me a Rehab we have experienced addictions clinicians with many years of experience in prescribing Buvidal. We provide free, confidential and impartial advice to all and can signpost you to free local services. If you need Heroin Addiction Help or are looking for Treatment for Heroin Addiction: Call or Email.

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