How long does Suboxone stay in your system?

Suboxone is a combination drug commonly used to help manage opioid addiction. It reaches peak blood concentration levels in most users within 3 hours of taking a dose. The effects of the drug slowly taper off from there, lasting up to three days. Even after the effects fade, the medication remains detectable on drug screenings. 

Does Suboxone show up on a drug test?

Drug tests that detect Suboxone are available, but most over-the-counter drug tests do not test for Suboxone (including the at-home drug tests that you can buy at the pharmacy). Even some of the more advanced opioid drug screenings are not designed to test for Suboxone.

You can find Suboxone drug tests online, or you can go to a laboratory that does drug screenings and take the test in person. To be sure that a drug test will detect Suboxone, make sure that Buprenorphine is listed specifically. Even though Suboxone is technically an opioid, it will not trigger a false positive for other opioids.

How long does Suboxone stay in urine?

On average, Suboxone is detectable in urine for up to seven days after the last dose. The exact amount of time it remains detectable will vary based on several factors. Factors that can impact the detection timeline include:

• Age
• Sex
• BMI
• Metabolic rate
• Organ health
• Acidity of urine
• Hydration levels

How long does it take for Suboxone to kick in?

Most people feel the effects of Suboxone within an hour of taking the medication. Suboxone levels reach peak blood concentration levels in as little as 40 minutes up to 3 hours depending on body chemistry.

People who take buprenorphine should be cautious during this roughly 4-hour window during their first doses of the medication, as this is when side effects and problems with the medication are most likely to manifest.

How long does Suboxone block opioids?

Suboxone will block the effects of opioids for about 1-3 days, but this can vary between individuals. Patients should work closely with their doctors to determine the window of effectiveness and work out a safe dosing schedule.

What are the most common Suboxone withdrawal symptoms?

Suboxone is an opioid, and that means that if you stop taking it abruptly, your body will react to its absence. The most common Suboxone withdrawal symptoms are:

• Irritability
• Muscle Aches
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Chills
• Cold Sweats

Suboxone should not be stopped cold turkey. If someone is taking the drug but wishes to stop, they need to work directly with their doctor to taper off safely.

How long can Suboxone withdrawal last?

For most individuals, withdrawal symptoms emerge 2-4 days after taking their last Suboxone dose. The worst symptoms typically are felt between days 3 and 5. The majority of the physical symptoms will fade within 7 days, though some symptoms can linger several weeks more.

This timeline may vary based on how the individual’s body responds and how gradually they taper. A gradual taper will help manage uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and cravings that lead to relapse.

Is Suboxone effective for treating opioid addiction?

Suboxone is considered one of the safest, easiest, and most effective forms of opioid addiction treatment. 

One disadvantage of Suboxone is that it relies on the user being diligent in taking their medication as prescribed without skipping or doubling-up on doses. However, with correct use and ease of access, it is just as safe as any other option for managing opioid addiction.

How long should I take Suboxone?

There are two ways to take Suboxone:

• Short-term, – taken for the duration of detox to help ease withdrawal symptoms (6-10 days)
• Long term – taken daily to stabilize and prevent relapse

Short-term and long-term suboxone regimens accomplish different goals. No one style of treatment is better than another. At JourneyPure, we work with the individual patient to find out which method is most appropriate. Those who have struggled with relapse in the past especially benefit from long-term suboxone programs. 

Often, doctors prefer Subutex instead of Suboxone for short-term use. Subutex contains the same active ingredient as Suboxone but does not contain the additional opioid blocker. Suboxone is preferred for long term use because it has the blocker as an added safety measure.

When I start people on a long-term suboxone regimen, I usually ask them to commit to taking the medication for a year in conjunction with outpatient therapy and support groups. As part of a comprehensive treatment plan, Suboxone can help people overcome the challenging first 90 days of sobriety and maintain their sobriety in the long run.