Getting your Brixadi shot
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Brixadi is a weekly or monthly shot of buprenorphine. You may be able to switch to Brixadi once you've been taking buprenorphine as a film or tablet for at least 7 days.
Here's what to expect when you get it, and a few tips in case you want them. Many people don't need anything extra to feel comfortable, but it's good to know your options.
Where the shot goes
The medicine is injected just under your skin into the fatty tissue of your stomach, thigh, buttock, or the back of your arm. From there, it slowly releases into your body over the week or month.
The spot depends on where you have enough fatty tissue, your dose, and what you and your pharmacist or nurse decide together.
Switching spots
It's important to use a different spot each time. This helps the medicine absorb well and keeps the buprenorphine in your body at a steady level.
- Weekly shots: You can go back to a spot you've used before after at least 8 weeks of using other spots.
- Monthly shots: You can go back to a spot you've used before after at least 1 month of using a different spot.
Each area of your body has several spots to choose from. For example, your right thigh has 4.
What it feels like
Many people feel a very mild burning or pressure while the medicine goes in. This usually eases within a minute or two. Your pharmacist or nurse may put a bandage on the spot afterward.
It's rare to see or feel a lump, but you might notice a very small one depending on your body. If you do, it will get smaller over the week or month as the medicine absorbs.
You can also see the Brixadi dosing and administration guide to learn how the shot works.
Tips for comfort
- Ice works best. Put an ice pack on the spot for 5 to 10 minutes before your shot.
- You can try lidocaine cream, a numbing cream you can buy at the pharmacy without a prescription. Put a small amount on a bandage, place it over the spot, and put ice on top if you'd like.
- Breathe in, then breathe out slowly while the medicine goes in.
- Avoid the area around your belt line or waistband.
- Try not to press on or rub the spot afterward.
If you miss a shot
- If it's been less than 9 days since your last weekly shot, or less than 5 weeks since your last monthly shot, contact your pharmacy to reschedule.
- If it's been longer than that, message Boulder in the app for next steps and follow up with your clinician. We're here to support you. You can also ask for a bridge prescription of buprenorphine films or tablets until your next visit.