Suboxone vs Buprenorphine: How These Two Drugs Help Treat Opioid Addiction

In navigating the complex journey of recovery from opioid addiction, understanding your treatment options is vital. Suboxone and buprenorphine are two commonly prescribed medications that can play a crucial role in this process. While they share similarities, knowing the differences between them can empower you or your loved one to make informed decisions about treatment.

This article aims to clarify these distinctions.

Suboxone vs Buprenorphine: How Are They Different?

Buprenorphine and Suboxone are both medications used to treat opioid addiction, but they have some key differences.

Here is a quick look at the differences between Suboxone and buprenorphine:

Suboxone vs Buprenorphine: What's in Them?

• Buprenorphine is a partial agonist of opioids. Suboxone has it as an active component.

• Suboxone is a medication that combines Buprenorphine with Naloxone. If the medicine is injected or administered incorrectly, Naloxone is added to deter overuse by creating withdrawal symptoms.

Suboxone vs Buprenorphine: What Forms Do They Come In?

• Buprenorphine comes in various forms, including sublingual tablets, films, and long-acting injectables.

• Suboxone is usually offered in the form of sublingual tablets or sublingual films that are inserted under the tongue for absorption.

Suboxone vs Buprenorphine: Use in Pregnancy

• During pregnancy, Buprenorphine can treat opioid addiction and lower the risk of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in babies.

• Suboxone can be used to treat opiate addiction during pregnancy. However, it should be taken with caution owing to the presence of Naloxone, which may raise some theoretical issues. During pregnancy, Buprenorphine alone may be recommended in some circumstances.

Suboxone vs Buprenorphine: Potential for Addiction

• Compared to complete opioid agonists like methadone or heroin, Buprenorphine alone has a lower risk of overuse and diversion.

• Suboxone plus Naloxone is less likely to be abused since Naloxone can cause withdrawal symptoms if the medicine is injected or mishandled.

Suboxone vs Buprenorphine: Who Prescribes Them?

• Buprenorphine can be given for opioid addiction therapy by certified physicians who have secured a specific waiver (X-waiver).

• Suboxone, being a combination medicine, necessitates the same X-waiver for prescribing, and physicians must get extra training before prescribing combination buprenorphine/naloxone medications.

Suboxone vs Buprenorphine: Dosing

• Buprenorphine is available in various dose patterns, including daily and less frequent dosing.

• Due to the inclusion of Naloxone, which has a shorter half-life and requires more frequent administration to maintain constant blood levels, Suboxone is often recommended for daily dosage.

Suboxone vs Buprenorphine: What Is Buprenorphine?

Buprenorphine is a synthetic opioid medication. It is mostly used to treat opioid addiction and to control pain. It belongs to the opioid partial agonist family of medicines. This implies that it activates the same brain receptors as other opioids, such as heroin or prescription medicines, but to a lesser extent.

What Makes Buprenorphine Different?

One primary characteristic distinguishing Buprenorphine from other opioids is its partial agonist nature. Unlike complete opioid agonists like heroin, which may cause profound euphoria and physical dependency, the effects of Buprenorphine are milder and more regulated.

As a result, it can minimize opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings without producing the same level of euphoria. This makes it a helpful tool in the treatment of opioid addiction.

What Forms Does Buprenorphine Come In?

Buprenorphine is available in a variety of forms. This includes sublingual pills, sublingual films, and long-acting injectables. When used to treat addiction, it is usually given as a sublingual medication or film inserted beneath the tongue for absorption.

Buprenorphine Side Effects

Buprenorphine, like any other medication, can have side effects, and it should only be used under the supervision of a physician specializing in addiction medicine or pain management. To obtain the greatest results and reduce the risk of side effects, stick to the suggested dosage and treatment routine.

What Is Buprenorphine Used For?

Buprenorphine has various medical uses, including:

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction

Buprenorphine is an essential component of MAT treatment for opioid use disorder, assisting individuals in reducing opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms while in recovery.

Pain Management

In rare circumstances, b uprenorphine is used to treat chronic pain, giving relief with a lesser risk of respiratory depression than full opioid agonists.

Detoxification

Buprenorphine can be used to help in the transition from opioid dependency to sobriety during opioid detoxification.

Maintenance Therapy

In certain circumstances, buprenorphine is given for long-term maintenance to help people recover from opiate addiction.

Combination Medications

To discourage overuse and limit the danger of diversion, buprenorphine is coupled with Naloxone in medication such as Suboxone.

Palliative Care

Buprenorphine may be used in palliative care to manage pain and comfort individuals with terminal illnesses.

Adjunct to Anesthesia

During some medical procedures, buprenorphine may be administered as an adjuvant to anesthesia.

Preventive Measure for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Buprenorphine may be used to minimize the risk of NAS in newborns in pregnant women with opioid use disorder.

Tapering Off Opioids

Buprenorphine can gradually taper individuals off opioids, reducing withdrawal discomfort.

Emergency Treatment for Opioid Overdose

In rare situations, buprenorphine might be administered as an alternative to Naloxone to treat opioid overdose.

Suboxone vs Buprenorphine: What Is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a medication used by doctors to aid people who are addicted to opioids. It is made up of two drugs: buprenorphine & Naloxone. Suboxone's main ingredient is Buprenorphine. It is an opioid partial agonist. It acts on the same brain receptors as opioids but does not cause the same powerful "high." This alleviates withdrawal symptoms and cravings, allowing people to gradually wean themselves off opioids.

What Is Naloxone?

Suboxone also contains Naloxone. This is an opioid antagonist that can counteract the effects of other opioids. It gives an extra layer of protection when taken with buprenorphine.

Suppose someone attempts to abuse Suboxone by injecting or consuming it incorrectly. In that case, Naloxone will kick in and keep them from experiencing the typical opioid symptoms. This decreases the danger of misuse and assists patients in using Suboxone correctly.

Suboxone vs Buprenorphine: How Suboxone Works

Suboxone's buprenorphine component, when taken as indicated, stabilizes opioid addicts and lowers cravings. This makes it easier to resist dangerous opiates. It allows users to focus on other things by facilitating a slow and controlled withdrawal from opioids. Individuals can safely take Suboxone to help control their opioid addiction if they follow the guidelines.

Suboxone vs Buprenorphine: What Is Suboxone Used For?

Suboxone and Buprenorphine have very similar uses since Suboxone includes both Buprenorphine and Naloxone. However, because of the inclusion of Naloxone, Suboxone has several distinct uses. Here are some common Suboxone uses:

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction

Suboxone is a critical component of MAT therapies for opioid use disorder, helping people manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms as they recover from addiction.

Opioid Dependence Maintenance Therapy

Suboxone may be administered for long-term maintenance to help persons maintain their opioid-free status.

Reduction of Opioid Cravings

Suboxone alleviates the severe opiate cravings that might lead to relapse throughout treatment.

Withdrawal Management

Suboxone is used during opioid detoxification to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and increase the chances of successful detoxification.

Combination Medication

To prevent abuse, Suboxone contains Buprenorphine and Naloxone. The inclusion of Naloxone helps to prevent overuse by generating withdrawal symptoms if the medicine is injected.

Pain Management

Suboxone may be utilized for chronic pain management in some circumstances in those who are at risk of opioid abuse or have a history of opioid addiction.

Palliative Care

Suboxone can be administered during palliative care to relieve pain and comfort patients with terminal illnesses.

Preventive Measure for NAS

Suboxone may lower the risk of NAS in babies in pregnant women with opioid use disorder.

Gradual Opioid Tapering

Suboxone can gradually take people off opioids, simplifying the transition to a drug-free state.

Opioid Overdose Treatment in an Emergency

Suboxone may be used as an alternative to Naloxone in treating opioid overdose in some circumstances.

Suboxone vs Buprenorphine: Buprenorphine Side Effects

Buprenorphine is typically well-tolerated, although it, like any medicine, might produce side effects in some people. Buprenorphine commonly causes the following side effects:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Constipation

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

• Sweating

• Sleep disturbances

• Dry mouth

• Stomach pain or cramps

• Muscle aches

• Back pain

• Difficulty concentrating

• Anxiety or nervousness

• Irritability

• Difficulty sleeping

• Blurred vision

• Decreased libido (sex drive)

• Reduced appetite

• Difficulty urinating

Suboxone vs Buprenorphine: Suboxone Side Effects

While Suboxone is typically safe and successful in treating opioid addiction, it may induce side effects in some people. Suboxone often causes the following side effects.

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Sweating

• Constipation

• Fatigue or drowsiness

• Insomnia or sleep disturbances

• Dry mouth

• Stomach pain or cramps

• Muscle aches

• Back pain

• Irritability

• Anxiety

• Reduced libido (sex drive)

• Difficulty concentrating

• Blurred vision

• Reduced appetite

• Tingling or numbness in extremities

• Difficulty urinating

In rare cases, Suboxone may cause more serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. These may include:

• Allergic reactions - rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, difficulty breathing

• Slowed or shallow breathing

• Severe drowsiness or difficulty waking up

• Signs of liver problems - yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, persistent nausea

• Signs of serotonin syndrome - agitation, hallucinations, rapid heartbeat, fever, muscle stiffness

• Signs of adrenal insufficiency - severe fatigue, muscle weakness, weight loss, low blood pressure

Suboxone vs Buprenorphine: How Long Does Buprenorphine Stay In Your System?

Buprenorphine is a long-acting opioid partial agonist, which means it has a longer duration of action than other opioids. While buprenorphine detectability in blood, urine, saliva, and hair varies, it is commonly detectable as follows.

Blood

Buprenorphine can be found in the bloodstream for up to 24 hours after the previous dosage.

Urine

Depending on parameters such as metabolism, dose, and frequency of usage, Buprenorphine can be detectable in urine for up to 3 to 6 days.

Saliva

Buprenorphine can be found in saliva for up to 4 days following the previous dosage.

Hair

Buprenorphine can be found in hair follicles for an extended period, up to 90 days or more. Hair tests can identify drug usage over several months and offer a historical record of drug use.

Suboxone vs Buprenorphine: How Long Does Suboxone Stay In Your System?

The detection times for Suboxone are similar to those of Buprenorphine alone.

• Blood: Up to 24 hours

• Urine: Up to 3 to 6 days

• Saliva: Up to 1 to 4 days

• Hair: Up to 90 days (or even longer)

Suboxone vs Buprenorphine: They Can Help You Beat Opioid Addiction

Opioid addiction is incredibly dangerous. Thanks to contaminants like fentanyl and xylazine, opioid abuse often ends in death, especially if it's untreated. Buprenorphine and Suboxone can genuinely help you leave opioid addiction behind.

As you weigh the options between buprenorphine and Suboxone, remember that choosing the right treatment is a pivotal step toward recovery. At The Forge Recovery Center, we are dedicated to guiding you or your loved one through these choices, ensuring you have the support needed to reclaim your life from opioid addiction.

Reach out to us, and let us help you on the path to recovery. Together, we can find the treatment that best suits your journey towards a healthier, substance-free life.

Written by

Brian Moore

Content Writer

Reviewed by

Jeremy Arzt

Chief Clinical Officer

February 1, 2025