The Truth About Suboxone

By Dr. Brian Wind Ph.D.

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There is a reason Suboxone is the most popular medication to treat opioid addiction. The FDA-approved medication contains two powerful ingredients that reduce withdrawal symptoms and deter relapse. Read the article, then ask the doctors your Suboxone question on the forum.

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a prescription medication FDA-approved to help treat opioid addiction. It combines buprenorphine (a partial opioid) with naloxone (an opioid blocker).

Buprenorphine

Helps withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
Can be used without Naloxone, but not for at-home use.

Naloxone

Blocks the “high” if drugs are used or Buprenorphine is abused.
Used also in nasal spray form to reverse opioid overdose.

What is Suboxone Used For?

Suboxone is used as a much safer substitute for those addicted to opioid drugs like heroin or prescription pain medications like Vicodin.

In combination with therapy, multiple studies show that Suboxone significantly reduces the chance of relapse by:

Alleviating withdrawal symptoms – so patients feel physically much better
Fighting cravings – so the brain isn’t constantly signaling for drugs
Preventing other opioids from interacting with opioid receptors – so opioids don’t produce the high if taken and lose appeal

Suboxone is not used for pain relief.

The pain relief function is dulled with the Naloxone to prevent abuse.

Is Suboxone an Opiate?

Suboxone is an opioid, but technically not an opiate because it is man-made and not from the natural poppy plant.

Opiates refer to natural opioids such as heroin, morphine and codeine.
Opioids describes all natural, semisynthetic and synthetic opioids.

Suboxone is in a different category than all other opioids like oxycodone or heroin.

Regular Opioid

Fits perfectly into the opioid receptors in the brain to trigger the full effect (high).

Suboxone

Fits enough to satisfy the opioid receptor, but not enough to trigger the high.

Generic Suboxone

The FDA approved generic Suboxone in 2018. Although there is published research of patients noticing a difference when switching to generic Suboxone, the medications are the same mix and potency.

Brand Name	Benefit	Cost
Generic Suboxone	Cheaper	Half the price of brand-name Suboxone (Also, Suboxone tablets are usually cheaper than Suboxone films)
Zubsolv	More potent and easier for the body to absorb	More expensive
Bunavail	Lower dose options	Discontinued in US

Suboxone Alternatives

Buprenorphine without the Naloxone blocker is too addictive to be prescribed for long-term home use, but there are options administered at clinics that are great alternatives to Suboxone.

Sublocade

Shot given at a clinic once a month

Probuphine

One-inch rod implanted under the skin on the arm that lasts for six months

Subutex

Tablet placed under the tongue, only given at a clinic or for less than 3 days for at-home detox

Brand	Administration	Duration
Sublocade	Shot given at a clinic	One month
Probuphine	One-inch rod implanted under the skin on the arm	Six months
Subutex	Tablet placed under the tongue, usually only given at a clinic or for 3 days maximum for at-home detox	1 day

Non-Addictive Alternatives

Naltrexone is a great alternative to Suboxone because there is no opioid at all, meaning no risk of abuse or withdrawals.

The brand Vivitrol comes in the form of a shot, given once a month to ensure compliance. Since Naltrexone blocks the effects of opioids, patients may stop taking Naltrexone in daily pill form (Revia or Depade).

Suboxone Side Effects

Patients starting Suboxone are going through opioid withdrawal, which involves unpleasant symptoms. Distinguishing between side effects and withdrawal symptoms is complex.

Side effects listed by the manufacture:

Numb mouth/pain in tongue
Feeling faint or blurry vision
Lower back or side pain
Irregular heartbeat

Nausea and vomiting
Constipation
Problems with concentration
Insomnia

Feeling warm or sweating
Fever or chills
Flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck

Generally, people feel better and more energetic right after taking Suboxone because it’s curbing withdrawal symptoms. This is true even when used for months.

Serious side effects are very uncommon when the medication is taken as directed.

Suboxone Withdrawal Symptoms

Stopping Suboxone abruptly will cause withdrawal symptoms. The effects of Suboxone withdrawal are the same as other opioids.

Muscle Aches
Chills

Insomnia
Irritability

Fatigue
Drug Cravings

Suboxone withdrawal is less severe than full opioids. In fact, the main ingredient of Suboxone is used to treat withdrawal symptoms for painkillers or heroin.

Stopping Suboxone cold turkey will make withdrawal symptoms much worse. Instead, make a plan with your doctor to taper down instead.

Suboxone Treatment

Suboxone is a Schedule III controlled substance. It can only be prescribed by certified doctors as regulated by the federal government.

Journey Pure has Suboxone treatment clinics across Tennessee and Kentucky.

Kentucky

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The Truth About Suboxone

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