Suboxone

Overview

Suboxone is a medication prescribed to treat opioid (narcotic) drug dependence, such as heroin or morphine, among addicts who have willingly agreed to be treated. Suboxone can be safely used among adults and children over 15. These individuals will also get medical, social, and psychological support for receiving addiction.

Suboxone is a combination of two active substances:

• Buprenorphine
• Naloxone

What is Suboxone?

A combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, suboxone is prescribed for drug dependence. Buprenorphine functions as an opioid medication, while naloxone blocks the effects of opioid medication, such as pain relief or overwhelming feelings of well-being that may lead to opioid abuse.

Types

This medication is available in the following dosage forms under various brand names:

• Sublingual film
• Sublingual tablet

How Does Suboxone Work?

Suboxone contains two active substances:

• Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, which acts like an opioid drug.
• Naloxone is an opioid antagonist; this means that it counteracts the effects of opioid drugs. Naloxone helps discourage the inappropriate use of this drug. Any attempt to misuse it leads to withdrawal symptoms.

This prescription medication can effectively treat opioid use disorder. It helps ease cravings and minimize symptoms of opioid withdrawal.

Success Rate and Results

As per studies, nearly 49% of participants reduced prescription painkiller abuse during an extended (a minimum of 12-week) treatment period with suboxone. This success rate of suboxone dropped to about 8.6% after discontinuation.

Today, Opioid replacement therapy is considered the most effective treatment for patients battling with opioid-dependence. However, patients may face challenges due to prevailing add-ons of opioid dependence, including the following listed below:

• Psychiatric comorbidities
• Infectious diseases
• Psychological distress
• Stigmatization

Patients are often advised to take a multidimensional approach to therapy.

Results of Treatment

Suboxone is known to start working fast. It can show results in just 20 to 60 minutes after taking the first dose. The reach peak effect of the medication can be seen about 100 minutes (1 hour and 40 minutes) after the first dose. Your doctor may increase your dosage as needed. Most patients feel much better at the end of the first day.

Recovery

Long-term sobriety is possible with suboxone. The key is to keep up with your prescribed therapy. This is considered the most important part of the treatment. Abstinence is nearly impossible without therapy under the guidance of a medical professional. Therapeutic choices are usually incorporated into a patient's treatment plan after a physician assesses a patient's experience, abstinence results, past addiction, and goals for the future. This may vary from person to person. Usually, a therapeutic treatment plan to address Suboxone addiction will include the following:

Evaluation and Assessment: A doctor will evaluate issues in a patient's life that can affect a person's use of drugs. Other issues, such as behavioral disorders, trauma, co-occurring mental health disorders, and underlying medical conditions, among many others, are also taken into consideration during the treatment process.

Unique Treatment Plan: Your doctor will design a treatment plan after evaluating the patient's goals for recovery. The treatment varies from person to person according to their goals and withdrawal symptoms.

Therapies: The following therapies are recommended for patients in combination with suboxone after evaluating the goals of a patient:

• Personal Therapy
• Individualized Case Management
• Group Therapy Sessions
• Peer Support / 12-Step Meetings
• Alternative Therapies
• Holistic Therapies
• Long-term Aftercare and Support

Treatment

Day 1 of Treatment: This typically starts with administering buprenorphine alone or a low dose of suboxone. The doctor may increase dosages until the time withdrawal symptoms are effectively reduced. Higher doses of the medication may be given approximately every 2 hours. This depends on how well the acute withdrawal symptoms are controlled. Most people are known to feel better at the end of the first day.

Day 2 of Treatment: Doctors may add a daily dose of up to 16 mg/4 mg on day two and for the following days. The effects of suboxone can last for up to 28-37 hours once it is dissolved under the tongue. The overall length of treatment with suboxone may vary from a few days to months. In some cases, the patient may have to take a certain dosage for years. The treatment is successful when maintained long-term. Therefore, treatment with suboxone is indefinite. Patients should not stop taking suboxone without checking with their doctor.

Induction Phase

Suboxone is given to a patient when he/she reduces or stops using opioids for the first time. The medication helps reduce withdrawal symptoms.

Day 1: The patient is administered a low dose of suboxone (2 mg buprenorphine / 0.5 mg naloxone or 4 mg buprenorphine / 1 mg naloxone). The doctor will assess the patient's withdrawal symptoms after 2 hours to determine if an additional dose is needed. The dose on day one should not exceed 8 mg buprenorphine / 2 mg naloxone.

Day 2: The patient is evaluated for withdrawal symptoms. If any improvement is seen, the doctor may administer the same dose as on day 1. An additional dose may be necessary if there is no improvement in their condition. The doctor will observe the patient for 2 hours. After evaluating withdrawal symptoms, the doctor may give another dose of suboxone.

Follow Up: The doctor will continue administering the drug for additional days. The medication is suggested until the patient's symptoms are under control.

Maintenance Phase: This phase involves your doctor recommending a stable dosage of suboxone. It is prescribed for an extended period. Withdrawal symptoms of a patient improve during this phase. The phase may last several months or even indefinitely.

Frequently Asked Questions