Suboxone

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Suboxone Treatment

Suboxone is a combination of the two drugs buprenorphine and naloxone. It is used to treat addiction to opioid drugs, including heroin and narcotic painkillers. Suboxone works by binding to the same receptors in the brain as opiates, and prevents cravings for drugs such as: Heroin Morphine Oxycodone Fentanyl Buprenorphine is the active drug in Suboxone. It is in a class of medications known as partial opioid agonists. That means the effect of buprenorphine is weaker than the effects of opioid drugs like heroin. The medicine also has a “ceiling,” so the opioid effects level off even if the dose is increased. This reduces the risk of dependency, overdose and side effects.

Suboxone Treatment Q & A

What is Suboxone used for?

Suboxone is an opioid prescription drug used to treat opioid dependence or opioid use disorder (OUD). It can be used as an induction agent to stabilize someone in withdrawal during the medical detoxification process, as well as for maintenance treatment to promote recovery.

How does Suboxone treatment work?

Suboxone treatment typically involves the combination of:

Buprenorphine

A partial opioid agonist, Buprenorphine is an opioid medication that produces relatively weak opioid effects. It can help to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without having the full impact of other opioids, like heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, etc.

Usually administered as a dissolvable film placed under the tongue or the cheek, this medication can make it easier for patients to stop using opioid drugs.

Naloxone

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist. Combined with Buprenorphine in Suboxone and other generic combination formulations, the medication can also be used on its own to reverse the deadly effects of opioid overdose. When used in combination with Suboxone treatment, Naloxone helps to discourage intentional misuse of Buprenorphine.

While Suboxone is an effective medication for opioid addiction, it’s often part of a comprehensive treatment approach that incorporates not only addiction medicine but behavioral interventions and mutual-help groups as well.

Suboxone treatment can be utilized alongside the care of co-occurring mental health conditions, like anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder.

Is Sublocade equivalent to Suboxone treatment?

While medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorders utilizes both medications, the two have some key differences. Sublocade contains only Buprenorphine, whereas Suboxone combines Buprenorphine and Naloxone.

Your Vectory health & Wellness provider might recommend continued prescriptions for suboxone and long-acting injectables such as Sublocade alongside counseling and behavioral therapy.

Is Suboxone treatment safe?

Suboxone treatment is very safe for most people. When used as directed, it has a low potential for overdose due to opioid effects.

Taking suboxone too soon after using other opioids can elicit uncomfortable opioid withdrawal symptoms like:

Shaking
Sweating
Digestive upset
Anxiety

Misuse of Suboxone — such as taking it in higher amounts than prescribed, using it while also taking sedatives or drinking alcohol, or taking the medication too soon after using other opioids can place you at higher risk of experiencing adverse effects.

Call Vectory health & Wellness to learn more about Suboxone treatment and how it can help you or a loved one overcome opioid dependence or substance use disorder. Or request more information online now.