Suboxone®

Suboxone® is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This means that it has a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence compared to Schedule I and II drugs, which have a high potential for abuse and addiction.

Suboxone® will negate the effects of any opioid by preventing them from activating those pain receptors. This helps to manage cravings and reduce symptoms of withdrawal.

Suboxone® Buprenorphine is also not a recommended agent for patients currently using full opioid agonists, such as heroin or morphine, because the concurrent use of a full and partial agonist may result in acute withdrawal, thus defeating the purpose of buprenorphine administration

Since the early 2000s, addiction treatment specialists have preferred to prescribe Suboxone® instead of its MAT predecessor, methadone. Because Suboxone® was developed with the express intention of fighting opioid addiction, the medication was engineered to have a far lower risk of dependency than methadone.

Additionally, the side effects of Suboxone® are usually less severe and tend to be physical instead of mental. When used as prescribed, Suboxone® is effective, however, Suboxone® like many drugs when abused, can be addictive.

This is a neat pharmacological trick to prevent Suboxone® ® from being ground up and shot intravenously. When taken as directed (sublingually), the buprenorphine works, but naloxone is poorly absorbed through the buccal mucosa and has only a minimal effect. However, when the tablets are crushed up and injected, naloxone comes alive, preventing the high and causing immediate withdrawal symptoms in patients addicted to opiates. Methadone, on the other hand, can be injected and will deliver a potent high, making it far more prone to abuse and diversion than Suboxone®

Addiction is a chronic disorder that requires life-long treatment. Suboxone® is only a part of that treatment plan. Suboxone®, though, does not have to be part of the treatment plan for an extended time. Suboxone®, under the care and supervision of an addiction-certified prescriber, can be tapered down over time. Our addiction certified provider, Betty Yu, has successfully tapered clients off Suboxone® in the past. If you are interested in tapering off Suboxone® and is stable in your recovery, do not hesitate to discuss your intent to taper with her.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in recovery is a part of a complete recovery plan which includes group therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, working with a sponsor, and working a recovery program, such as Narcotics Anonymous.

Like most medications, Suboxone® can cause interactions. Therefore, you should always tell your prescriber what medications you are on before starting a Suboxone®

This medication can cause powerful effects when combined with other opioids such as oxycodone, codeine, hydrocodone, and heroin. It also causes negative effects when combined with alcohol. Those who are taking Suboxone® should not take sleeping pills, narcotic painkillers, or sedatives, and should not drink alcohol. Regarding all other medications not listed above, please disclose ALL medications you are currently taking with your prescriber to determine what is safe and what is not.