Suboxone is a prescription medication, mainly used to treat opioid addiction. It contains a combined action of two active ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone that both work together to manage opioid dependency withdrawal symptoms and cravings. This is part of a broader approach known as Medication-Assisted Treatment or MAT in addition to counseling and support to aid an individual to pursue the process of recovery for substance use disorders. Generic Suboxone usually prevents relapse, supports long-term recovery, and keeps the individual stable in the process of transitioning away from the opioid drug.
Components of Suboxone
- Buprenorphine: Buprenorphine is what is termed a partial agonist opioid, meaning that, compared to opioids, it acts on opioid receptors in the brain at much lower levels. It doesn’t activate full levels of the receptors like heroin or oxycodone would. This can reduce withdrawal symptoms and may also decrease cravings, as high levels of it will not produce the intense high caused by full agonist opioids. Buprenorphine is long-acting and has a ceiling effect meaning that at a certain dose amount, taking more of it does not increase the impact; this also makes overdose less likely.
- Naloxone: Naloxone acts as an opioid antagonist, which implies that it blocks the effects of opioids at receptor sites. It is added to Suboxone mainly for misuse prevention. When the person tries to inject Suboxone, naloxone will precipitate uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and thus discourage misuse. Naloxone has no activity when Suboxone is taken as prescribed; that is, sublingually or under the tongue. It does have activity, however, in cases of medication abuse by injection or other routes of administration.
What Is Suboxone Used For
Suboxone is a totally prescribed medicine by doctors. Thus it will be good to follow the complete instructions given by the doctor. If the doctor hasn’t given any instruction on using the suboxone then ask him/her for the directions.
It has a unique manner of intake. Normally, the physician usually instructs the patient to take a glassful of water before consuming the medicine; it will help moisten the mouth. Place one of the tablets inside one of the angles. Sustain the tablet inside the cheek until it dissolves completely.
Note: If the patient swallows or chews the medicine, it will not function correctly.
How Suboxone Works
The combination of buprenorphine and naloxone in Suboxone effectively treats OUD. Dependence on opioids tends to manifest as a vicious cycle of craving followed by withdrawal. While this cycle can be hard to escape, Suboxone helps to halt such cycles:
- Buprenorphine attaches to opioid receptors in the brain, which can be strong enough to reduce withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, muscle pains, and nausea. It also decreases cravings so that people can abstain from opioids without extreme agony.
- Blocking Euphoria: Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, prevents opioids’ euphoric effects. As part of the combination of drugs in Suboxone, naloxone prevents diversion by preventing abuse through injection due to the onset of withdrawal.
- Risk of overdose: Buprenorphine is associated with a ceiling effect meaning the overdose from this opioid is much less likely to happen than from opioids with a full agonistic activity. Naloxone in combination would further decrease the likelihood of overdose if abused.
Administration and Dosage
Suboxone is provided as sublingual tablets or films that are dissolved in the mouth under the tongue. Dosage is determined by a patient’s needs and treatment goals. The doctor can start a patient with a low dose, increasing the dose incrementally to achieve a therapeutic effect.
The usual dosing is once or twice a day. Suboxone is usually initiated when withdrawal symptoms are already in place because its use too early can cause withdrawal symptoms. The adjustment of dosage will be given by the doctor or healthcare professional as they monitor how one responds to the medication
Benefits of Suboxone Treatment
Suboxone has lots of benefits in the treatment of opioid addiction:
- Reduced withdrawal symptoms: Suboxone can help to decrease the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms of opioids, which are the largest challenges to stopping opioids. This will make it easier for the patient to enter and continue treatment.
- Lower Risk of Misuse: Naloxone acts as a deterrent to misusing the drug, while buprenorphine being a partial agonist prevents euphoric “high” normally associated with opioids hence lowering the risk of developing a new addiction to Suboxone itself.
- Flexibility in treatment: Patients who don’t stay in inpatient rehab, as well as those with work or family responsibilities, can find taking Suboxone convenient. These also offer greater privacy and independence in the recovery process.
- Improved retention in treatment: Studies have demonstrated that Suboxone is associated with higher retention rates in opioid treatment programs. Patients receiving medication-assisted treatment with Suboxone are more likely to be retained in their treatment than those not receiving such treatment and are thus also less likely to be able to return to opioid use.
- Reduced Risk of Hepatitis C and HIV: Treatment using Suboxone can reduce illicit drug use and exposure to infectious diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV, as most transmissions occur through needle sharing.
Suboxone Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal from Suboxone is possible if this medication is stopped abruptly or if the dose is reduced too quickly. The symptoms of Suboxone withdrawal are usually milder than those found in people who withdraw from full opioid agonists (heroin, for example, or prescription pain medications), but they can still be quite uncomfortable.
The severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms depend on factors such as the period of administration for Suboxone, the amount taken, and your response. Common Suboxone withdrawal symptoms include:
Early Symptoms (6-24 hours after last dose):
- Irritability or anxiety
- Desire for opioids
- Insomnia or sleeplessness
- Runny nose or watery eyes
- Yawning more than usual
- Muscle aches or joint pain
- Sweating or chill
- Abdominal pain or nausea
Later Symptoms (24-72 hours after last dose):
- Depression or feeling low
- Feeling tired
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Abdominal cramps
- Increased nervousness or agitation
- Difficulty concentrating
- Headaches
- Hot and cold flashes
- Heart beats too quickly
Later Symptoms (after 3-7 days):
- Can’t sleep due to an inability to fall asleep
- Mood changes
- Lack of interest
- Fatigue which lingers
- Increased compulsion
The Possible Suboxone Side Effects
Suboxone has side effects, every person faces the side effects. Some patients are affected by the side effects badly, and some of them face minor and common side effects. Here we have listed some of the side effects, that you may face after taking the Suboxone. Have a look;
- Weakness
- Breathing problem
- Blurred Vision
- Confusion
- Loss of coordination
- Forget to respirate while sleeping
- Upper stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Hallucination
- Muscle stiffness
- Goosebumps
- Sweating
- Feeling extremely hot or cold
- Watery eyes, runny rose
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Pain in the tongue
- Constipation
Seek medical help right away if you’re experiencing any of the significant side effects. The doctor will be in a better position to advise you on how to eliminate those side effects.
Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women and Suboxone
The use of suboxone, which is buprenorphine/naloxone, during pregnancy is often seen because its risk profile is lesser compared to full opioids like heroin or methadone. Buprenorphine has been shown to decrease the urge and withdrawal signs, but both are damaging to the mother as well as the baby. It does cross the placenta and causes NAS (neonatal abstinence syndrome) but the NAS from buprenorphine is generally less severe compared to full opioids. Suboxone is safer than methadone, but suboxone needs a medical prescription.
Suboxone passes into breast milk in small quantities if the mother is nursing. In most mothers and babies, this amount is thought to be safe for both of them. However breastfeeding and nutrition are extremely beneficial, and bonding, although a small risk due to buprenorphine exposure, outweighs this benefit. Babies should, however, be watched for sedation or withdrawal.
Always seek the advice of a health professional for specific advice.
Warning & Precautions
Before taking the medicine, certain things must be noted. The following points will guide you to use the medicine in the right way. Have a look;
Talk to your doctor, if you have any one of the following health issues;
- Breathing issues
- Liver disease, kidney disease
- Sleep apnea
- Abnormal spin issues
- Urinary problems
- Having problems with a head injury, seizures, and brain tumor
- If you have a drug addiction or alcoholism.
- Taking Suboxone can be dangerous and life-threatening even at the time of pregnancy. And
- the baby may be affected by the Suboxone. Consult your doctor, if you are addicted to any opioid. The doctor may prescribe you any other medicine instead of Suboxone.
- The same advice will apply to breastfeeding ladies.
- Make sure that, you have no allergic reaction to the medicine or the
- Available ingredients of the Suboxone. After discussing the same with your doctor, you can also do a test for that.
- If you have consumed Suboxone during the pregnancy period then observe the breathing process of the baby, after birth.
- Do not take alcohol, or any other alcoholic beverage while you are undergoing the Suboxone course.
Do not take alternatives, change, reduce, or increase the dose or the medicine without consulting a doctor. This might increase the risk factor of side effects.
Frequently Asked Questions On Suboxone
Is Suboxone a painkiller?
Suboxone can recover any pain, caused by opioid addiction. But it will not be considered a painkiller. It is only used for patients, who are opioid addiction.
Is Suboxone used for anxiety?
Suboxone helps to reduce stress and anxiety. Because it is a depressant, it acts on the central nervous system. So, yes it can be used for anxiety.
Can Suboxone cause heart attacks?
Suboxone is safe for cardiac patients. It has no harmful side effects, that can cause heart attacks.