Suboxone is the first opioid medication approved under DATA 2000 for the treatment of opioid dependence in an office-based setting. Suboxone also can be dispensed for take-home use, just as any other medicine for other medical conditions.
The primary active ingredient in Suboxone is buprenorphine.
Because buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonists, its opioid effects are limited compared with those produced by full opioid agonists, such as oxycodone or heroin. Suboxone also contains naloxone, an opioid antagonist.
The naloxone in Suboxone is there to discourage people from dissolving the tablet and injecting it. When SUBOXONE is placed under the tongue, as directed, very little naloxone reaches the bloodstream, so what the patient feels are the effects of the buprenorphine. However, if naloxone is injected, it can cause that person to quickly go into withdrawal.
Suboxone at the appropriate dose may be used to:
- Suppress symptoms of opioid withdrawal
- Decrease cravings for opioids
- Reduce illicit opioid use
- Block the effects of other opioids
- Help patients stay in treatment
Other medications now available are Zubsolv and Bunavail, all have the same active ingredient, buprenorphine, also oral medications with a different formulary and delivery system. All drugs in this class are highly effective in the treatment of opioid dependency!
Visit Suboxone’s website to learn more