Buprenorphine Formulations: Films, Tablets, Injections & More

When you start buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder, you might be surprised to learn there's more than one way to take it. While most people are familiar with Suboxone films that dissolve under the tongue, buprenorphine actually comes in at least seven different formulations — from daily tablets to monthly injections to six-month implants.

The formulation you choose can make a real difference in your daily life. Some people prefer the convenience of a once-monthly injection so they don't have to think about medication every day. Others do best with the familiar routine of a daily sublingual film. And for some, cost and insurance coverage end up being the deciding factor.

In this guide, we'll break down every available buprenorphine formulation, explain how they compare in terms of effectiveness and convenience, and help you understand which option might work best for your situation. Whether you're just starting treatment or considering a switch, you'll find the practical information you need here.

What Is Buprenorphine and Why Does Formulation Matter?

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist medication that's considered the gold standard treatment for opioid use disorder. It works by attaching to the same brain receptors that other opioids target, but it activates them only partially — enough to prevent withdrawal and cravings, but not enough to produce a dangerous high.

The way buprenorphine enters your bloodstream affects how well it works and how convenient it is to use. Most formulations are combined with naloxone (an opioid blocker) to discourage misuse, though mono-products containing only buprenorphine are available for specific situations like pregnancy.

Different formulations have different bioavailability — meaning different percentages of the medication actually make it into your bloodstream. They also vary dramatically in cost, insurance coverage, daily routine impact, and how discreet they are to use. Understanding these differences helps you and your provider choose the right option.

Sublingual Films (Suboxone Film, Generic Buprenorphine/Naloxone Film)

Sublingual films are thin, orange, rectangular strips that dissolve under your tongue. Suboxone is the brand name, but several FDA-approved generics are now available at lower cost.

How they work: You place the film under your tongue and let it dissolve completely over 5–10 minutes. The medication absorbs through the mucous membranes directly into your bloodstream. You shouldn't swallow, talk, or drink during this time.

Bioavailability: About 30% of the dose reaches your bloodstream when used correctly. Swallowing the film significantly reduces absorption.

Strengths available: 2mg/0.5mg, 4mg/1mg, 8mg/2mg, and 12mg/3mg (buprenorphine/naloxone)

Pros:

• Widely available and accepted by most insurance plans
• Easy to dose precisely and adjust as needed
• Fast onset — you feel relief within 30–60 minutes
• Small and discreet to carry
• Can be split if your provider recommends lower doses

Cons:

• Daily routine required (though some people prefer this structure)
• Unpleasant taste that lingers for some people
• Requires you to avoid eating, drinking, or talking for 10+ minutes
• Can be difficult for people with dry mouth

Who it's best for: People who want flexibility in dosing, prefer daily medication routines, or need to start treatment quickly. Films are also ideal if you're working closely with your provider to find your optimal dose, since adjustments are easy.

Typical cost: Generic films run $75–$150 per month with most insurance. Brand Suboxone is more expensive but may be covered with prior authorization. Our guide to copay assistance programs explains how to reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Sublingual Tablets (Subutex, Generic Buprenorphine/Naloxone Tablets)

Sublingual tablets work the same way as films — you dissolve them under your tongue — but they're round pills instead of strips.

How they work: Place one or more tablets under your tongue and let them dissolve completely, which takes 5–10 minutes. Like films, the medication absorbs through mucous membranes.

Bioavailability: Similar to films at around 30%, though some studies suggest slightly lower absorption for tablets in certain formulations.

Strengths available: 2mg/0.5mg and 8mg/2mg combination tablets; 2mg and 8mg mono-product (buprenorphine only, no naloxone)

Pros:

• Often less expensive than films, especially generics
• Some people find tablets easier to use than films
• Mono-product tablets (Subutex) available for pregnancy
• More compact to store than film packages

Cons:

• Take longer to dissolve than films (up to 10 minutes)
• Chalky taste that some people dislike
• Can crumble or break in packaging
• Less flexible for dose splitting than films

Who it's best for: People who prefer tablets over films, those looking for the lowest-cost option, or pregnant individuals who need mono-product buprenorphine. Read our pregnancy safety guide for more details on treatment during pregnancy.

Typical cost: Generic tablets are among the most affordable options at $50–$100 per month with insurance. Mono-product tablets may cost more.

For a detailed comparison of films versus tablets, check out our post on Suboxone film vs tablet.

Buccal Film (Bunavail)

Bunavail is a brand-name buprenorphine/naloxone film designed to dissolve against your cheek (buccal) rather than under your tongue (sublingual).

How it works: You place the film on the inside of your cheek, high up near your molars, and let it dissolve over 30 minutes. The medication absorbs through the cheek lining.

Bioavailability: Approximately 46–65% — significantly higher than sublingual formulations because it bypasses some first-pass metabolism.

Strengths available: 2.1mg/0.3mg, 4.2mg/0.7mg, and 6.3mg/1mg (equivalent to 2mg, 4mg, and 6mg sublingual doses)

Pros:

• Higher bioavailability means you may need a lower dose
• Some people find buccal placement more comfortable
• Less interference with daily activities once placed
• May work better for people with dry mouth

Cons:

• Significantly more expensive than generic sublingual options
• Not widely covered by insurance without prior authorization
• Takes longer to dissolve (30 minutes vs 5–10)
• Limited availability at some pharmacies
• No generic version available yet

Who it's best for: People who have tried sublingual formulations but struggled with absorption issues, dry mouth, or taste problems, and whose insurance covers Bunavail.

Typical cost: $300–$500 per month without insurance. Most insurance plans require prior authorization and may not cover it if you haven't tried cheaper alternatives first.

Monthly Injection (Sublocade)

Sublocade is a once-monthly injection of extended-release buprenorphine administered by a healthcare provider in an office setting.

How it works: Your provider injects Sublocade into the fatty tissue of your abdomen using a special pre-filled syringe. The medication forms a solid deposit under your skin that slowly releases buprenorphine over the course of a month.

Bioavailability: 100% — since it's injected, all of the medication eventually enters your bloodstream, though it's released gradually.

Strengths available: 100mg and 300mg monthly doses

Pros:

• No daily medication routine to remember
• Eliminates risk of diversion or misuse
• Steady medication levels without daily peaks and valleys
• Impossible to "forget" a dose
• After discontinuation, buprenorphine levels taper naturally over several months
• Particularly valuable for people in structured settings or with housing instability

Cons:

• Requires monthly clinic visits for injection
• Initial 6-month requirement (two 300mg doses, then 100mg maintenance)
• Injection site reactions in about 5% of patients
• Expensive without insurance ($1,500–$2,000 per month)
• Limited ability to adjust dose quickly if needed
• Not ideal if you're still finding your optimal dose

Who it's best for: People who are stable on sublingual buprenorphine (usually 8–16mg daily) and want to eliminate daily medication, those in treatment programs that require monthly visits anyway, or individuals for whom daily medication poses logistical challenges.

We've written an in-depth guide about Sublocade monthly buprenorphine injection if you want more details.

Typical cost: Most major insurance plans cover Sublocade after prior authorization. Medicaid coverage varies by state. The manufacturer offers patient assistance programs. Without insurance, monthly costs can exceed $1,500.

Ready to explore whether Sublocade or another formulation is right for you? Get started with Grata Health to discuss your options with an experienced provider.

Weekly and Monthly Injections (Brixadi)

Brixadi is a newer extended-release buprenorphine injection available in both weekly and monthly formulations, approved by the FDA in 2023.

How it works: Similar to Sublocade, Brixadi is injected into abdominal fat by a healthcare provider. It uses a different extended-release technology that allows for both weekly and monthly dosing options.

Bioavailability: 100% — injected medication has complete bioavailability over time.

Strengths available:

• Weekly: 8mg, 16mg, 24mg, 32mg
• Monthly: 64mg, 96mg, 128mg

Pros:

• More dosing flexibility than Sublocade
• Weekly option for people who need closer monitoring initially
• Can transition between weekly and monthly as stability improves
• Smaller injection volume than Sublocade
• Less stringent initiation requirements

Cons:

• Even newer than Sublocade, so less real-world data
• Not as widely available yet
• Similar cost challenges as Sublocade
• Weekly dosing requires more frequent clinic visits
• Insurance coverage still being established

Who it's best for: People who want injectable buprenorphine but need more frequent dosing initially, or those transitioning from daily sublingual who aren't ready for monthly injections. The weekly option can be helpful during early stabilization.

Typical cost: Similar to Sublocade at $1,500+ per month without insurance. Coverage varies widely by plan and is still being established with many payers.

Implant (Probuphine)

Probuphine consists of four small rods implanted under the skin of your upper arm that release buprenorphine steadily for six months.

How it works: A specially trained provider makes a small incision in your upper arm and inserts four matchstick-sized rods under the skin. The rods slowly release buprenorphine continuously for six months, after which they're removed and can be replaced.

Bioavailability: 100% over the six-month period, with steady levels throughout.

Strength available: Equivalent to approximately 8mg or less of sublingual buprenorphine daily

Pros:

• Longest duration of any formulation (six months)
• Set-it-and-forget-it convenience
• Steady medication levels with no daily peaks or valleys
• Eliminates all daily medication burden
• Useful for people with difficulty accessing monthly treatment

Cons:

• Requires minor surgical procedure for insertion and removal
• Only available from specially certified providers
• Limited to people stable on 8mg or less sublingual dose
• Insertion site complications in some patients
• Very expensive ($4,000–$5,000 per six-month set)
• Insurance often denies coverage
• Extremely limited availability

Who it's best for: Highly stable patients on relatively low doses who want the longest possible dosing interval and have access to certified providers. In practice, Probuphine is rarely used because Sublocade and Brixadi offer similar benefits with less complexity.

Typical cost: $4,000+ per six-month insertion. Very limited insurance coverage. The manufacturer's patient assistance program helps some uninsured patients.

Mono-Product Buprenorphine (Subutex, Generic)

Mono-product formulations contain only buprenorphine without naloxone. They come in sublingual tablets.

How they work: Identical to combination sublingual tablets — dissolve under the tongue over 5–10 minutes.

Bioavailability: About 30%, the same as combination tablets.

Strengths available: 2mg and 8mg tablets

Pros:

• Preferred during pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Fewer ingredients (no naloxone)
• May cause less irritation for sensitive individuals
• Works the same as combination products for most people

Cons:

• Slightly higher street value, so some providers hesitant to prescribe
• Not always covered by insurance without pregnancy documentation
• More expensive than generic combination products
• No abuse-deterrent naloxone component

Who it's best for: Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, people who have documented reactions to naloxone (very rare), or those whose providers prefer mono-product for specific clinical reasons. Our breastfeeding guide covers safety during nursing.

Typical cost: $100–$200 per month, usually higher than generic combination products.

How to Choose the Right Formulation

With so many options, how do you decide? Here are the key factors to consider:

Your stage of treatment:

• Just starting? Sublingual films or tablets offer the most flexibility while you find your dose
• Stable for 3+ months? Injectable or implant options become reasonable
• Still adjusting? Stick with daily formulations for now

Your daily routine and preferences:

• Need structure? Daily sublingual formulations provide that
• Tired of daily medication? Monthly injections eliminate the routine
• Struggle with adherence? Long-acting options remove the decision

Insurance coverage:

• Most plans cover generic sublingual films and tablets with minimal hassle
• Injectables require prior authorization but most plans cover them eventually
• Check your specific coverage through our insurance guides for Medicaid, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Cigna

Cost considerations:

• Generic sublingual is cheapest ($50–$150/month with insurance)
• Brand products and injectables cost more but may be covered
• Patient assistance programs exist for most formulations

Practical factors:

• Access to clinic for monthly injections?
• Dry mouth or oral issues that make sublingual difficult?
• Housing stability for storing daily medication?
• Privacy concerns about visible medication use?

Discuss all of these factors honestly with your provider. The "best" formulation is the one you'll actually use consistently. For most people starting treatment, generic sublingual films or tablets make the most sense initially. You can always switch later once you're stable.

Switching Between Formulations

Many people change formulations as their recovery progresses. Common transitions include:

From sublingual to injection: You'll typically need to be stable on 8–16mg of sublingual buprenorphine for at least 7 days. Your provider will give your last sublingual dose, then administer the first injection the same day. No waiting period required.

From injection to sublingual: If you stop Sublocade, buprenorphine levels taper naturally over 3–6 months. Some people transition back to sublingual if they need dose adjustments, though this should be carefully planned with your provider.

Between sublingual formulations: Switching from films to tablets or vice versa is straight