SUBLOCADE use during pregnancy showed no increased risk of birth defects, miscarriage, or maternal complications compared to general population rates
RICHMOND, Va., May 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Indivior PLC (Nasdaq/LSE: INDV) today announced the publication of a study "Monthly Buprenorphine Depot Injection (SUBLOCADE) for Opioid Use Disorder During Pregnancy" in the American Journal on Addictions, evaluating the use of SUBLOCADE for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) during pregnancy and postpartum. Three sources of data evaluated in this retrospective study illustrated that the use of monthly SUBLOCADE during pregnancy demonstrated no increased risk and is consistent with the established buprenorphine safety profile.1
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This retrospective study includes clinical case studies from four pregnant patients treated with monthly SUBLOCADE, postmarketing surveillance data covering more than five years, and a targeted literature review. In total, 322 reports of pregnancy exposures to SUBLOCADE were identified. Of the four patients included in the clinical practice case studies, all delivered full-term infants with normal birthweight, no fetal anomalies, and no need for treatment for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS).
"The findings shared in this manuscript support perinatal, patient-centered decision-making," said Melinda Ramage, FNP-BC, CARN-AP, LCAS, Director of the North Carolina Perinatal Substance Use Disorder Network and lead author of the publication. "Treatment is not one-size-fits-all, and it is important to explore safe and effective options for the mother–baby dyad."
Between 2010 and 2017, opioid use during pregnancy dramatically increased, with a 131% increase in opioid use-related diagnoses at delivery in the U.S.2 The U.S. national maternal morbidity and mortality data reveal mental health and substance use disorders are the leading underlying cause of pregnancy-related deaths in 36 states. While pregnancy-associated overdose deaths have been steadily rising since 2007, those involving fentanyl and other synthetic opioids markedly increased from 5.73 to 9.47 deaths per 100,000 in a span of just 3 years (2017–2020), with most deaths occurring post-delivery.3 This study helps address the current knowledge gap with relevant experience from patients and prescribers who used monthly SUBLOCADE during pregnancy and/or postpartum.
In addition to the case studies, the postmarketing surveillance data showed live births with no reported birth defects in the majority of known cases and rates of spontaneous abortion and other outcomes consistent with or lower than general population rates. Review of relevant literature also aligned with the findings from postmarketing and clinical data sources. These data highlight buprenorphine's established safety profile and offers practical insights into clinical care.
"OUD patients who are pregnant run the risk of experiencing a number of negative health consequences, such as infection, overdose, severe maternal morbidity, postpartum readmission, and even death, and using opioids during pregnancy has been linked to poor results for both the fetus and the newborn," said Christian Heidbreder, Chief Scientific Officer at Indivior. "As public health professionals and policymakers look for ways to reduce maternal overdose deaths, this study offers important new information about how long-acting medications like SUBLOCADE might be incorporated into a broader strategy to increase access and enhance outcomes for families affected by OUD."
Treatment decisions during pregnancy and postpartum should reflect a shared decision-making approach between providers and patients, aligning with clinical guidance and product labeling. The patient-centered model is especially critical when managing chronic conditions, like OUD, in the perinatal period. These data support consideration of using SUBLOCADE as part of evidence-based treatment options, which include offering or continuing perinatal medications for OUD, prioritizing patient stability when considering a change of existing pharmacotherapy in pregnancy and postpartum, and assessing the benefits and risks in a patient-centered framework.
This is the largest amount of data available regarding the experience of pregnant patients on SUBLOCADE. Limitations of the study include limited descriptive data for case studies obtained from a small patient cohort and 21% of pregnancies reported outcomes for postmarketing surveillance.
Disclosure: This work was funded by Indivior Inc., with the exception of the case studies and the time and contributions of Melinda Ramage, which were not supported by Indivior.
About SUBLOCADE® SUBLOCADE ® (buprenorphine extended-release) injection, for subcutaneous use, CIII
INDICATION AND HIGHLIGHTED SAFETY INFORMATION INDICATION SUBLOCADE is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe opioid use disorder in patients who have initiated treatment with a single dose of a transmucosal buprenorphine product or who are already being treated with buprenorphine.
SUBLOCADE should be used as part of a complete treatment plan that includes counseling and psychosocial support.
HIGHLIGHTED SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING: RISK OF SERIOUS HARM OR DEATH WITH INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION; SUBLOCADE RISK EVALUATION AND MITIGATION STRATEGY
Serious harm or death could result if administered intravenously. SUBLOCADE forms a solid mass upon contact with body fluids and may cause occlusion, local tissue damage, and thrombo-embolic events, including life-threatening pulmonary emboli, if administered intravenously.
Because of the risk of serious harm or death that could result from intravenous self-administration, SUBLOCADE is only available through a restricted program call the SUBLOCADE REMS Program. Healthcare settings and pharmacies that order and dispense SUBLOCADE must be certified in this program and comply with the REMS requirements.
CONTRAINDICATIONS Hypersensitivity to buprenorphine or any other ingredients in SUBLOCADE.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse: SUBLOCADE contains buprenorphine, a Schedule III controlled substance that can be abused in a manner similar to other opioids. Monitor patients for conditions indicative of diversion or progression of opioid dependence and addictive behaviors. Respiratory Depression: Life threatening respiratory depression and death have occurred in association with buprenorphine. Warn patients of the potential danger of self-administration of benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants while under treatment with SUBLOCADE. Risk of Serious Injection Site Reactions: Likelihood of may increase with inadvertent intramuscular or intradermal administration. Evaluate and treat as appropriate. The most common injection site reactions are pain, erythema and pruritus with some involving abscess, ulceration and necrosis. Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome: Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) is an expected and treatable outcome of prolonged use of opioids during pregnancy. Adrenal Insufficiency: If diagnosed, treat with physiologic replacement of corticosteroids, and wean patient off of the opioid. Risk of Opioid Withdrawal with Abrupt Discontinuation: If treatment with SUBLOCADE is discontinued, monitor patients for several months for withdrawal and treat appropriately. Risk of Hepatitis, Hepatic Events: Monitor liver function tests prior to and during treatment. Risk of Withdrawal in Patients Dependent on Full Agonist Opioids: Verify that patients have tolerated transmucosal buprenorphine before injecting SUBLOCADE. Treatment of Emergent Acute Pain: Treat pain with a non-opioid analgesic whenever possible. If opioid therapy is required, monitor patients closely because higher doses may be required for analgesic effect.
ADVERSE REACTIONS Adverse reactions commonly associated with SUBLOCADE (in ≥5% of subjects) were constipation, headache, nausea, injection site pruritus, vomiting, increased hepatic enzymes, fatigue, and injection site pain.
For more information about SUBLOCADE, the full Prescribing information including BOXED WARNING, and Medication Guide, visit www.sublocade.com.
About Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is a chronic disease in which people develop a pattern of using opioids that can lead to negative consequences. OUD may affect the parts of the brain that are necessary for life-sustaining functions.
About Indivior Indivior is a global pharmaceutical company working to help change patients' lives by developing medicines to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). Our vision is that all patients around the world will have access to evidence-based treatment for OUD and we are dedicated to transforming OUD from a global human crisis to a recognized and treated chronic disease. Building on its global portfolio of OUD treatments, Indivior has a pipeline of product candidates designed to expand on its heritage in this category. Headquartered in the United States in Richmond, VA, Indivior employs over 1,000 individuals globally and its portfolio of products is available in over 30 countries worldwide. Visit www.indivior.com to learn more. Connect with Indivior on LinkedIn by visiting www.linkedin.com/company/indivior.
References:
Ramage M, Bishop B, Mangano V, Mankabady B. Monthly Buprenorphine Depot Injection (SUBLOCADE®) for Opioid Use Disorder During Pregnancy. Am J Addict. 2025.
Hirai AH, Ko JY, Owens PL, Stocks C, Patrick SW. Neonatal abstinence syndrome and maternal opioid-related diagnoses in the US, 2010–2017. JAMA. 2021; 325(2): 146-155. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.24991
Bruzelius E, Martins SS. US trends in drug overdose mortality among pregnant and postpartum persons, 2017–2020. JAMA. 2022; 328(21): 2159-2161. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.17045
