When You Can't Find Buprenorphine: Other Options to Discuss With Your Doctor

If you've been trying to fill a Buprenorphine prescription and keep hitting dead ends, you're not alone. As we've covered in our guide on why Buprenorphine is so hard to find, about 40% of major chain pharmacies don't stock it, and rural access remains a significant challenge.

But going without treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) is dangerous. Untreated OUD dramatically increases the risk of overdose and death. If you can't find Buprenorphine right now, there are real alternatives worth discussing with your provider.

Important: Never stop taking Buprenorphine abruptly or switch medications on your own. Always work with your prescriber to make any changes safely.

What Is Buprenorphine and How Does It Work?

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist — it partially activates the same brain receptors that heroin and prescription opioids target, but with a ceiling effect that limits euphoria and reduces the risk of respiratory depression.

It's FDA-approved for opioid use disorder (as Suboxone, Subutex, Zubsolv, and others) and for chronic pain (as Butrans patches or Belbuca buccal film). As a Schedule III controlled substance, it has lower abuse potential than full opioid agonists.

Buprenorphine works by:

• Reducing opioid cravings
• Preventing withdrawal symptoms
• Blocking the effects of other opioids (due to high receptor binding affinity)
• Providing a safety ceiling against respiratory depression

Alternative #1: Methadone

Methadone is a full opioid agonist that has been used to treat opioid addiction since the 1960s. It's the oldest and most studied medication for OUD.

How it works: Methadone fully activates opioid receptors, providing stronger relief from cravings and withdrawal than Buprenorphine. However, it doesn't have the same ceiling effect, meaning the risk of overdose is higher.

Key differences from Buprenorphine:

• Dispensed only at certified opioid treatment programs (OTPs) — not regular pharmacies
• Requires daily in-person visits initially (take-home doses are earned over time)
• More effective for patients with severe, long-standing OUD
• Higher risk of QT prolongation and drug interactions
• Schedule II controlled substance (more tightly regulated)

Who it's good for: Patients with severe OUD who haven't responded well to Buprenorphine, or those who prefer the structured environment of a methadone clinic.

Alternative #2: Naltrexone (Vivitrol)

Naltrexone takes a completely different approach. Instead of partially activating opioid receptors, it blocks them entirely.

How it works: Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist. If you take an opioid while on Naltrexone, you won't feel the effects. This removes the incentive to use.

Available forms:

• ReVia / generic Naltrexone — daily oral tablet (50 mg)
• Vivitrol — monthly intramuscular injection (380 mg)

Key considerations:

• You must be fully detoxed from all opioids (7-14 days) before starting — otherwise it will trigger severe precipitated withdrawal
• No abuse potential and not a controlled substance
• Vivitrol injection eliminates daily compliance issues
• Does not help with cravings the way Buprenorphine or Methadone do

Who it's good for: Highly motivated patients who have completed detox and want to prevent relapse, especially those who prefer a non-opioid approach.

Alternative #3: Sublocade (Extended-Release Buprenorphine Injection)

If your problem is specifically finding daily sublingual Buprenorphine at a pharmacy, Sublocade may be the perfect solution — because it bypasses the pharmacy entirely.

How it works: Sublocade is a monthly subcutaneous injection of extended-release Buprenorphine. A healthcare provider injects it into your abdomen once a month, where it slowly releases Buprenorphine over 30 days.

Key benefits:

• No daily dosing — one injection per month
• Administered in a clinical setting, not a pharmacy
• Steady blood levels (no peaks and valleys)
• Reduces diversion risk
• Covered by most insurance plans

Cost: Sublocade has a list price of $1,500-$1,900 per month, but manufacturer assistance and insurance typically bring the cost down significantly.

Alternative #4: Brixadi (Extended-Release Buprenorphine Injection)

Brixadi was FDA-approved in 2023 and offers more flexibility than Sublocade with both weekly and monthly injection options.

How it works: Like Sublocade, Brixadi is an extended-release Buprenorphine injection given subcutaneously by a healthcare provider. The weekly formulation is useful during induction, while the monthly formulation works well for maintenance.

Key benefits:

• Weekly option allows for closer monitoring during early treatment
• Transition to monthly dosing for stability
• No pharmacy stocking issues
• Manufacturer savings programs available

How to Talk to Your Provider About Alternatives

When discussing alternatives with your prescriber, consider asking:

• "Given my treatment history, which alternative is the best fit for me?"
• "Am I a candidate for Sublocade or Brixadi injections?"
• "What would the transition process look like?"
• "Will my insurance cover the alternative?"

Your provider can help you weigh the pros and cons based on your specific situation, including your history of opioid use, how long you've been on Buprenorphine, and what's available in your area.

Final Thoughts

Not being able to find Buprenorphine is stressful, but it should never mean going without treatment. Methadone, Naltrexone, Sublocade, and Brixadi are all legitimate alternatives — each with different strengths.

Start by trying to find Buprenorphine in stock near you using Medfinder. If that doesn't work, talk to your provider about the alternatives described above. And if cost is a barrier, check out our guide on saving money on Buprenorphine.

The most important thing is staying in treatment. Your recovery is worth fighting for.