Subutex and Suboxone are opioid medications with the same active ingredient: buprenorphine. But only Suboxone has an additional medication called naloxone, which blocks the effects of opioid drugs.
Both Subutex and Suboxone were approved by the FDA to treat opioid addiction in 2002 by keeping cravings and withdrawal symptoms manageable. Subutex is used during detox, whereas Suboxone can be used long-term. Before the federal Drug Addiction Treatment Act in 2000, the primary medication used to treat people suffering from opioid addiction was methadone. Suboxone and Subutex have quickly become the preferred treatment for medical providers.
What is Subutex?
Subutex is one of the most popular medications for treating opioid addiction.
- It works by satisfying opioid receptors in the brain that are craving drugs, which alleviates withdrawal symptoms and helps people stay sober long enough for them to start feeling better.
- Doctors use Subutex during the detox process to get the patient off of opioids without sending them into full withdrawals that lead to relapse.
While buprenorphine doesn’t take away withdrawal symptoms entirely, it makes it much easier to convince people to get help. Detoxing from opioids is uncomfortable, but it doesn’t last forever, and medications like Subutex can help get you through.
Does Subutex do the same thing as Suboxone?
Yes. The point of both medications is to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. Subutex has the added benefit of naloxone, which makes it more difficult to abuse.
The buprenorphine in Subutex and Suboxone satisfies opioid cravings but produces less powerful effects than other opioids like heroin or Oxycontin.
When is Subutex used?
Subutex is used in a clinical setting, like a drug detox or addiction treatment center. At treatment facilities, Subutex is administered under the supervision of medical staff. Suboxone, though, can be taken at home.
The goal is to slowly lower the level of opioids in the patient’s system so that they don’t experience the overwhelming withdrawals that lead to relapse.
Why do doctors prescribe Subutex if it has no opioid blocker?
Subutex is the best medication to use when beginning treatment for opioid addiction. This is when withdrawal symptoms are at their worst.
The fact that Subutex does not contain the opioid blocker Naloxone is actually an advantage in the early stages of treatment because the patient can begin taking the medication as soon as they enter treatment.
Suboxone, on the other hand, is not recommended for people who still have opioid drugs in their system. Taking Suboxone before opioids have cleared the system can make withdrawal symptoms worse. This is known as precipitated withdrawal.
Why do doctors prescribe Subutex and Suboxone?
Buprenorphine is used to treat opioid addiction because it lessens withdrawal effects while satisfying the brain’s craving for the drug.
Subutex, which is simply buprenorphine, helps reduce the individual’s desire to use, which is especially strong in the first few days without opioids.
Suboxone does the same thing, but with the added blocker Naloxone, it is safe for long-term use as a maintenance medication.
Once we address the physical symptoms of withdrawal, the patient can fully engage in their recovery by attending therapy, going to meetings, and forming connections with other sober people.
Can any doctor prescribe Suboxone?
No, physicians must be registered with the Food and Drug Administration and obtain a waiver to prescribe Suboxone or Subutex.
Even though buprenorphine is safe when used appropriately, it is still a powerful opioid medication with its own list of side effects as well as the potential for abuse. Buprenorphine is listed as a Schedule III controlled substance by the FDA and is tightly restricted to prevent the medication from being abused or falling into the wrong hands.
Why is there naloxone in Suboxone?
Suboxone adds yet another layer of safety with the addition of naloxone, a medication that blocks the effects of opioids.
When someone takes suboxone by mouth, the naloxone has no effect. However, if someone attempts to abuse their Suboxone by injecting it, the opioid blocker activates and prevents the individual from feeling the full effects.
Naloxone is the same medication that first responders use to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Subutex does not contain naloxone.
Is Suboxone more expensive than Subutex?
The retail price of Suboxone is about $200 for (30-day supply) and Subutex is $160 for 30 days. Suboxone offers this coupon to significantly reduce the price per month.
Health insurance (including Medicaid) covers both medications. If you have insurance, the copay is usually around $25 per script. Most insurances require therapy to authorize the medication, which would be a separate cost.
You can’t substitute Subutex for Suboxone just because it’s cheaper. Unlike Suboxone, Subutex would rarely be given at home or long-term.
Are Subutex and Suboxone dangerous?
Like any medication, Suboxone and Subutex can be dangerous when abused. When taken as directed, they should be perfectly safe for patients. Unlike things like heroin and Oxycodone, Suboxone and Subutex are only partial opioids. That means there is a ceiling effect, which:
- will not get you high like other opioid medications.
- is less likely to cause an overdose.
- does not increase effects with higher doses.
Research shows more people are willing to accept addiction treatment if these medications are included because they significantly mitigate withdrawal symptoms and reduce mental cravings. As such, these drugs provide a way to help more people.
Can you become addicted to Suboxone or Subutex?
It is possible to get addicted to Suboxone or Subutex, but it’s not common. Here’s why:
- Buprenorphine is a partial-agonist opioid, so Suboxone and Subutex have less intense effects compared to typical opioids.
- People that are prescribed buprenorphine already have a tolerance to opioids.
- The Naloxone in Suboxone adds another layer of safety by helping to prevent overdose.
People who are already addicted to opioids won’t feel high from buprenorphine because they are already opioid-tolerant. Because the effects are less intense, taking Suboxone and Subutex satisfies the craving without reinforcing addictive behavior, allowing the patient to safely step down their opioid use.
Is Suboxone safer than Subutex?
Suboxone is considered safer than Subutex when it comes to the potential for overdose. If someone tries to inject Suboxone, the naloxone will partially block opioid receptors and reduce the chance of overdose less than Subutex.
However, both Suboxone and Subutex are safe medications, especially when administered under the care of an accredited addiction treatment facility.
Suboxone is often a better option for the treatment of someone with a more severe opioid addiction or someone who has gone into recovery and then relapsed due to its lower potential for abuse.
Do Suboxone and Subutex actually work?
Yes! Both Suboxone and Subutex are considered effective treatment options for opioid use disorders. It does need to be said, though, that they cannot treat addiction by themselves. They must be used as part of a larger course of addiction treatment in order to address the root cause of an individual’s substance use disorder. Most treatment success stories come from a holistic approach that includes appropriate individual and group therapies, not medication alone.
Does JourneyPure offer Suboxone?
Yes. JourneyPure has Suboxone Clinics in Tennessee and Kentucky in the following locations:
- Lexington Suboxone Clinic (KY)
- Louisville Suboxone Clinic (KY)
- Paducah Suboxone Clinic (KY)
- Bowling Green Suboxone Clinic (KY)
- Elizabethtown Suboxone Clinic (KY)
- Knoxville Suboxone Clinic (TN)
Suboxone is also used during detox and in certain cases ongoing maintenance at alcohol and drug rehabs in Tennessee and Kentucky.
JourneyPure.com doctors follow rigorous sourcing guidelines and cite only trustworthy sources of information, including peer-reviewed journals, count records, academic organizations, highly regarded nonprofit organizations, government reports and their own expertise with decades in the fields and their own personal recovery.
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Buresh, M. (n.d.). Office-Based Buprenorphine: Tips and Tricks. John Hopkins School of Medicine. Retrieved 7/15/21, from http://www.mddcsam.org/images/2018-conference-resources/3-Buresh_MDDCSAM-OBOT-09_22_18.pdf
National Center for Biotechnology Information (2021). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 644073, Buprenorphine. Retrieved July 19, 2021 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Buprenorphine.
NIDA. 2021, April 13. How do medications to treat opioid use disorder work?. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/medications-to-treat-opioid-addiction/how-do-medications-to-treat-opioid-addiction-work on 2021, July 19
NIDA. 2021, April 13. How effective are medications to treat opioid use disorder?. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/medications-to-treat-opioid-addiction/efficacy-medications-opioid-use-disorder on 2021, July 19
(2021, April 30). Information about Naloxone. FDA.Gov; US Food & Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/information-about-naloxone
Disclaimer
All content is for informational purposes only. No material on this site, whether from our doctors or the community, is a substitute for seeking personalized professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard advice from a qualified healthcare professional or delay seeking advice because of something you read on this website.
Do you have more questions?
Leave a Reply
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Cw says: Do I have to wait from taken suboxone and switching to subutex,its because of side effects?
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Karyn says:
I have my Master’s in substance abuse counseling and have many clients successful with MAT.
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Paul Jayson says:
Thank you for taking your time for these questions, Dr. Let me tell you It’s very much appreciated. Thank you again. Means a lot to all of us even if the majority are not in a state to show gratitude currently…..
I’ve been switched from Suboxone to subutex bc of the rash I developed (I guess naloxone makes you itch?)
Anyways, since the switch, I’ve noticed I’ve had to take more subutex to feel the same effects as the Suboxone which makes no sense to me….
And also noticed that it does not seem to be as positively effective as far as my mood goes for some odd reason.?
…But I do think I have stopped itching as much on my rash spot. However I’ve noticed I seem to be itching more of my anus and taint areas particularly in the middle of the night while I’m sleeping.Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. God bless.
~ JP
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Lance says:
I was told if I test positive for opiates the doctor won’t prescribe me either one.is this true?
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Dr. Stephen Loyd M.D. says: Hey Daniel, great question! Suboxone and Subutex are less effective at treating pain than traditional opioid painkillers. However, suboxone is a good option when someone has chronic pain AND a history of opioid addiction.
While buprenorphine is weaker than traditional painkillers, you’re much less likely to get hooked compared to traditional painkillers, like oxycodone or hydrocodone. In this case, you would want the weaker opioid because it is so much safer.
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Rob says:
Hi guys need help bad. Do you need to wait a long time after last use of opiates to start Subutex?
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Dr. Stephen Loyd M.D. says:
Hi Rob! No, you do not have to wait a long time. You can start Subutex as soon as you feel the first signs of withdrawal. You can do this!
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Dez says:
Recently I get severe nausea after taking my subutex, is there another way to take it besides under my tongue? The taste makes me vomit!
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Dr. Stephen Loyd M.D. says:
Hey Dez! Unfortunately, the sublingual buprenorphine tablets only work under the tongue. The medication becomes less effective if you swallow or chew them.
Nausea is a common side-effect with Subutex, but it should get better as you continue to take the medication and your body adjusts. If it continues, try taking your Subutex with a little food in your stomach (just don’t take it while eating). You can also try over-the-counter nausea remedies like antacids.
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Brandi says:
Dez, I hate the taste of suboxone too but I do a little trick where I hold black coffee on my tongue while the med is dissolving;) Works great but be careful swallowing the coffee as you can take the med with it:) Blessings:)
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Marquee says:
Do you have to wait to withdraw from subutex to take suboxone like you would going straight from opioid use to suboxone?
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Dr. Stephen Loyd M.D. says:
Hey Marquee! No, you don’t have to wait to withdrawal from Subutex to switch to Suboxone. Some people feel mild symptoms when they switch, but you can work with your doctor to adjust your dose as necessary. Either way, it won’t be nearly as bad as going from opioid use to Suboxone. Thanks for your question!
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Jennifer says:
Hi! I am switching from subutex to suboxone, I have read that you can experience w/d symptoms when switching.. is that true?
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Dr. Stephen Loyd M.D. says:
Hi Jennifer, most people who transition from Subutex to Suboxone maintain the same dosage and don’t experience withdrawal symptoms. That said, some people do get mild symptoms that occur a few days to a few weeks after they switch. If you do start to feel withdrawal symptoms, let your doctor know immediately and they can adjust the dose. Don’t try to tough it out – be honest with your doctor about how you are feeling. The most important thing is that you stay consistent and stick to your treatment plan.
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Erica Piatt says:
I switched from taking subutex while in treatment for 28 days and was sent home with appox 60 days of subutex pills to last until I got insurance again and so when my dr now seen me she switched me to the suboxone tablets and I really didn’t notice much of a difference at all, and didn’t have any WD symptoms from switching from one to the other. But everyone is different too.
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Dean says:
Following up on Julie Betts' question, and your response… Currently taking Subutex to help get off opioids, which is also helping manage pain due to a chronic pain condition (hence the reason for being on opioids). If switched to Suboxone, would it have the same effect from a pain management perspective? Or is Subutex better than Suboxone when it comes to pain management?
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Dr. Stephen Loyd M.D. says:
Hi Dean! From a pain management perspective, Suboxone and Subutex have the same therapeutic effect. You should have no problem switching from Subutex to Suboxone, but make sure you work with your doctor to come up with a plan first. Most people maintain the same dosage when they switch, but sometimes it is necessary to make adjustments. Best of luck!
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Erica piatt says:
I believe they both help with chronic pain. I’m prescribed suboxone now for MAT but it also helps a lot with my back pain, which is the reason why I got addicted to pain pills in the first place from my dr.
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Jason H. Glenn says:
Why is it that I've witnessed people shooting up suboxone if the naloxone is suppose to be a deterrent for that reason? I've never done it but the guys that have say the naloxone has absolutely no effect? I've always heard the company that brought us Suboxone put that little bit of naloxone in there just to pass it through the FDA. They hear the naloxone is gonna keep people from abusing it so they rushed to approve it. In fact I've read the amount of naloxone isn't enough to do much of anything. I've taken both and i can't tell the difference. Only that the practically inert naloxone gives excruciating headaches which I too have experienced. We all know that BIG PHARMA runs this country. Also why are they able to keep the price point so high? Even the generics are sky high. Just another way to keep the addict down and out.
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Dr. Stephen Loyd M.D. says:
Hi Jason, Suboxone isn't going to give you an intense high like heroin or fentanyl. People inject it because that's what they've learned to do in addiction to get more immediate relief. It has a street value because it curbs withdrawal symptoms (just like more heroin does, only in a much safer way). By taking Suboxone, people that are physically addicted to opioids can function and even feel a surge of energy as they come out of withdrawal. The Naloxone in Suboxone also helps to prevent overdose.
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no says:
straight up! this medication is not SUPPOSED to be used on the streets. on the streets it doesn’t make sense but for someone like me who used and has been off H for 3 years i have been on buphamorphine and now just got switched to suboxone naloxone bc it’s better for long term us. i feel like when you used meds the wrong way they are not going to act like they are supposed to be in the prescription.
DUH
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matthew says:
hi Dr. Stephen, i was on 120 mgs of morphine for 2 months, i quit that with suboxone, the most i took in 10 days was 12mgs. my Dr tapered me by 2 mgs to get me off. i have been off suboxone for 4 days now but still feel very depressed and i have chills, will this go away? i didnt think i was on it long enough to feel this way. thank you
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Dr. Stephen Loyd M.D. says:
Hey Matthew – Hang in there! It’s common for mild withdrawal symptoms to linger after detoxing from opioids. This is known as Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome. The good news is that post-acute withdrawals don’t last forever and symptoms usually taper off within a couple of weeks. Your medications and therapy can help you get through it, but if your symptoms get worse, follow-up with your doctor. Best of luck!
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Julie Betts says:
Have you heard of either being used in a pain management setting and do you feel it is effective and of so why isn't talked about more
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Dr. Stephen Loyd M.D. says:
Hi Avraham, thank you for your comment! It’s not necessarily true that Subutex is stronger than suboxone. Both have the same active ingredient, Buprenorphine. The only difference is that Suboxone also includes naloxone, which blocks the effects of opioids.
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Dr. Stephen Loyd M.D. says:
Hey Julie – great question! I have heard of cases where Suboxone and Subutex are used off-label for pain management, but this is relatively rare. The research shows that buprenorphine can help treat chronic pain, but it is generally less effective compared to traditional opioid pain relievers. That is why Suboxone and Subutex are typically used to treat opioid dependence rather than chronic pain.
However, it's important to note that using buprenorphine for pain relief has its advantages. For one, Suboxone and Subutex are less addictive than traditional opiates, like oxycodone or morphine. Also, the risk of accidental overdose is much less with buprenorphine.
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Daniel 
Dr. Stephen Loyd M.D. 
Rob 
Dez 
Brandi 
Marquee 
Jennifer 
Erica Piatt 
Dean 
Jason H. Glenn 
matthew 
Avraham 
Julie Betts
hi Dr. Stephen, i was on 120 mgs of morphine for 2 months, i quit that with suboxone, the most i took in 10 days was 12mgs. my Dr tapered me by 2 mgs to get me off. i have been off suboxone for 4 days now but still feel very depressed and i have chills, will this go away? i didnt think i was on it long enough to feel this way. thank you
Hey Matthew – Hang in there! It’s common for mild withdrawal symptoms to linger after detoxing from opioids. This is known as Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome. The good news is that post-acute withdrawals don’t last forever and symptoms usually taper off within a couple of weeks. Your medications and therapy can help you get through it, but if your symptoms get worse, follow-up with your doctor. Best of luck!
Why is it that I've witnessed people shooting up suboxone if the naloxone is suppose to be a deterrent for that reason? I've never done it but the guys that have say the naloxone has absolutely no effect? I've always heard the company that brought us Suboxone put that little bit of naloxone in there just to pass it through the FDA. They hear the naloxone is gonna keep people from abusing it so they rushed to approve it. In fact I've read the amount of naloxone isn't enough to do much of anything. I've taken both and i can't tell the difference. Only that the practically inert naloxone gives excruciating headaches which I too have experienced. We all know that BIG PHARMA runs this country. Also why are they able to keep the price point so high? Even the generics are sky high. Just another way to keep the addict down and out.
Hi Jason, Suboxone isn't going to give you an intense high like heroin or fentanyl. People inject it because that's what they've learned to do in addiction to get more immediate relief. It has a street value because it curbs withdrawal symptoms (just like more heroin does, only in a much safer way). By taking Suboxone, people that are physically addicted to opioids can function and even feel a surge of energy as they come out of withdrawal. The Naloxone in Suboxone also helps to prevent overdose.
straight up! this medication is not SUPPOSED to be used on the streets. on the streets it doesn’t make sense but for someone like me who used and has been off H for 3 years i have been on buphamorphine and now just got switched to suboxone naloxone bc it’s better for long term us. i feel like when you used meds the wrong way they are not going to act like they are supposed to be in the prescription.
DUH
Recently I get severe nausea after taking my subutex, is there another way to take it besides under my tongue? The taste makes me vomit!
Dez, I hate the taste of suboxone too but I do a little trick where I hold black coffee on my tongue while the med is dissolving;) Works great but be careful swallowing the coffee as you can take the med with it:) Blessings:)
Hey Dez! Unfortunately, the sublingual buprenorphine tablets only work under the tongue. The medication becomes less effective if you swallow or chew them.
Nausea is a common side-effect with Subutex, but it should get better as you continue to take the medication and your body adjusts. If it continues, try taking your Subutex with a little food in your stomach (just don’t take it while eating). You can also try over-the-counter nausea remedies like antacids.
I have my Master’s in substance abuse counseling and have many clients successful with MAT.
Thank you for taking your time for these questions, Dr. Let me tell you It’s very much appreciated. Thank you again. Means a lot to all of us even if the majority are not in a state to show gratitude currently…..
I’ve been switched from Suboxone to subutex bc of the rash I developed (I guess naloxone makes you itch?)
Anyways, since the switch, I’ve noticed I’ve had to take more subutex to feel the same effects as the Suboxone which makes no sense to me….
And also noticed that it does not seem to be as positively effective as far as my mood goes for some odd reason.?
…But I do think I have stopped itching as much on my rash spot. However I’ve noticed I seem to be itching more of my anus and taint areas particularly in the middle of the night while I’m sleeping.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. God bless.
~ JP
I was told if I test positive for opiates the doctor won’t prescribe me either one.is this true?
Withdraw from suboxon 2my / 1/2 mg
Do you feel either drug is a good option for pain management?
Hey Daniel, great question! Suboxone and Subutex are less effective at treating pain than traditional opioid painkillers. However, suboxone is a good option when someone has chronic pain AND a history of opioid addiction.
While buprenorphine is weaker than traditional painkillers, you’re much less likely to get hooked compared to traditional painkillers, like oxycodone or hydrocodone. In this case, you would want the weaker opioid because it is so much safer.
Hi guys need help bad. Do you need to wait a long time after last use of opiates to start Subutex?
Hi Rob! No, you do not have to wait a long time. You can start Subutex as soon as you feel the first signs of withdrawal. You can do this!
Do I have to wait from taken suboxone and switching to subutex,its because of side effects?
Do you have to wait to withdraw from subutex to take suboxone like you would going straight from opioid use to suboxone?
Hey Marquee! No, you don’t have to wait to withdrawal from Subutex to switch to Suboxone. Some people feel mild symptoms when they switch, but you can work with your doctor to adjust your dose as necessary. Either way, it won’t be nearly as bad as going from opioid use to Suboxone. Thanks for your question!
Hi! I am switching from subutex to suboxone, I have read that you can experience w/d symptoms when switching.. is that true?
Hi Jennifer, most people who transition from Subutex to Suboxone maintain the same dosage and don’t experience withdrawal symptoms. That said, some people do get mild symptoms that occur a few days to a few weeks after they switch. If you do start to feel withdrawal symptoms, let your doctor know immediately and they can adjust the dose. Don’t try to tough it out – be honest with your doctor about how you are feeling. The most important thing is that you stay consistent and stick to your treatment plan.
I switched from taking subutex while in treatment for 28 days and was sent home with appox 60 days of subutex pills to last until I got insurance again and so when my dr now seen me she switched me to the suboxone tablets and I really didn’t notice much of a difference at all, and didn’t have any WD symptoms from switching from one to the other. But everyone is different too.
very useful so subutex is more stronger than suboxone ? interesting…
Hi Avraham, thank you for your comment! It’s not necessarily true that Subutex is stronger than suboxone. Both have the same active ingredient, Buprenorphine. The only difference is that Suboxone also includes naloxone, which blocks the effects of opioids.
Hey Julie – great question! I have heard of cases where Suboxone and Subutex are used off-label for pain management, but this is relatively rare. The research shows that buprenorphine can help treat chronic pain, but it is generally less effective compared to traditional opioid pain relievers. That is why Suboxone and Subutex are typically used to treat opioid dependence rather than chronic pain.
However, it's important to note that using buprenorphine for pain relief has its advantages. For one, Suboxone and Subutex are less addictive than traditional opiates, like oxycodone or morphine. Also, the risk of accidental overdose is much less with buprenorphine.
Have you heard of either being used in a pain management setting and do you feel it is effective and of so why isn't talked about more
Following up on Julie Betts' question, and your response… Currently taking Subutex to help get off opioids, which is also helping manage pain due to a chronic pain condition (hence the reason for being on opioids). If switched to Suboxone, would it have the same effect from a pain management perspective? Or is Subutex better than Suboxone when it comes to pain management?
Hi Dean! From a pain management perspective, Suboxone and Subutex have the same therapeutic effect. You should have no problem switching from Subutex to Suboxone, but make sure you work with your doctor to come up with a plan first. Most people maintain the same dosage when they switch, but sometimes it is necessary to make adjustments. Best of luck!
I believe they both help with chronic pain. I’m prescribed suboxone now for MAT but it also helps a lot with my back pain, which is the reason why I got addicted to pain pills in the first place from my dr.