Probuphine

(pro-BYOO-feen)

Probuphine was a subdermal implant that delivered a continuous low dose of buprenorphine over a six-month period. It was used for the maintenance treatment of OUD in patients who are already stable on low to moderate doses of buprenorphine.

Historical context

Probuphine was developed by Titan Pharmaceuticals and gained FDA approval in the United States in 2016, however it was discontinued in 2020. It was the first implantable form of buprenorphine for the treatment of OUD.

Medical formulations

Probuphine was available as a small, flexible rod implant that is inserted under the skin, usually in the upper arm.

How long does Probuphine stay in your system?

The Probuphine implant released buprenorphine continuously over a period of six months. The buprenorphine released into the body has a half-life of approximately 24 to 42 hours. Once the implant was removed, it took roughly 120 to 210 hours for the remaining buprenorphine to be completely eliminated from the body.

Street names

Implant, Probu

Appearance

The Probuphine implant was a small, flexible rod approximately 26 mm in length and 2.5 mm in diameter. It was not visible to the naked eye once implanted.