Subutex vs suboxone which is better

Subutex contains only one active ingredient — buprenorphine. It works by binding the opioid receptors in the brain, resulting in reduced pain and increased feelings of well-being.

Prior to the year , the primary medication prescribed for fighting opioid addiction was methadone. Then, in the year , a new drug was approved by the FDA for treatment of opiate addiction that would provide similar results with less chance of abuse.

The generic name of the drug was buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is classified as a Schedule III substance, meaning that it has a relatively low potential for abuse, whereas methadone, is considered a Schedule II drug meaning it has a higher potential for abuse.

Buprenorphine was also a significant addition to the treatment of addictions because it was more accessible and patient friendly. Doses of methadone must be given directly by a medical professional, which can be costly when one factors in travelling to a medical facility, paying physician fees and when you consider that the dose needs to be given regularly. Since buprenorphine has lower potential for abuse and overdose, it can be prescribed for self-administration by any physician who has been trained and certified by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment.

When taken as directed, buprenorphine can help an individual stay comfortable during detox, it prevents opioid withdrawal symptoms and reduces cravings for opiate drugs and prescription pain killers, and ultimately, minimize relapse.

The buprenorphine fills and activates the drug receptors in the brain. Though it is not a full opioid, it acts like one, moderating receptor site activity, but not creating a euphoric state.

Essentially, buprenorphine tricks the brain into functioning normally but does not result in the high that comes from the drug. There is evidence that switching the medications leads to adverse effects.

To combat this issue, a high percentage of treatment facilities switched their patients from Subutex to Suboxone. After four months, Transferring from Subutex to Suboxone or vice versa should be carefully planned with your physician.

You may suffer from certain withdrawal symptoms, and your dosage will likely need to be adjusted more than once to find the right level of the new medication.

The buprenorphine present in both medications means they precipitate similar responses in the body. One of the most common questions asked is about the similarities between a Subutex high vs. Suboxone high. It should be noted that neither of these medications will produce a high if taken as directed.

Subutex and Suboxone both have the ceiling effect that prevents escalation of effects associated with a high after reaching a certain concentration. Subutex and Suboxone also have similar side effects , including:. These symptoms are usually mild to moderate. If they are severe or persistent, you should inform your doctor so you can determine together whether buprenorphine medications are appropriate for you.

The roles of Subutex and Suboxone in addiction treatment are the same. Taking either medication will assist your recovery in the following ways:.

One serious concern is which medication is better for pregnant women to take. Buprenorphine now a more viable option for the treatment of women who are opioid-dependent during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists makes it clear that buprenorphine-based medications have some benefits when compared to the historic go to for treatment medication for women during pregnancy, methadone.

The benefits of buprenorphine over methadone for babies may include:. Providers have historically recommended Subutex over Suboxone during pregnancy, due to the theoretical possibility of naloxone moving across the placenta to the baby. However recent studies have shown that very little placental transfer takes place, and multiple researchers have concluded that Suboxone is just as safe as Subutex for pregnant women when taken as directed.

Women with a history or high risk of relapse may elect not to take Suboxone due to its deterrent features. While the threat of being pushed into withdrawal by abusing Suboxone is enough to keep most people from attempting to inject it, this does happen on occasion.

If a woman abuses Suboxone while pregnant, the withdrawal symptoms can cause serious problems in the pregnancy and lead to the baby suffering neonatal withdrawal upon birth. Each mother-to-be should work closely with her medical providers to determine the treatment options and medications that are right for her and follow her treatment plan closely to ensure the best outcomes for her and her baby.

Both medications, especially Suboxone, can be used in a maintenance program for as long as they are effective in recovery. Many people find that indefinite maintenance works for them, allowing them to live free of cravings for opioids of abuse like heroin. There is no maximum length of time you can be treated with buprenorphine. Other individuals prefer to use buprenorphine as a stepping stone, with the ultimate goal of being completely medication-free.

Either way, tapering off of any treatment medication, including Subutex or Suboxone is a process that must be carefully monitored by medical professionals. Even when taken as directed, buprenorphine may produce physical dependence. If someone abruptly stops taking one of these medications, they will start to experience:.

Additionally, they will experience strong cravings for opioids if a proper plan for tapering is not in place. If someone stops taking Suboxone because they have run out, for example, there is a danger that they will seek out their drug of abuse to stop the symptoms.

This will minimize the symptoms you experience as your body readjusts to a complete lack of opioids. When discussing potential treatment with a provider, think about whether you want to use buprenorphine as a maintenance medication or if you would rather start out with a plan to taper. Your doctor can help you make this decision based on the severity of your addiction.

Still have questions about buprenorphine-based medications for addiction treatment? Here are five of the most common inquiries about Subutex and Suboxone. During this time when tolerance is built up, the opioid receptors in the brain increase, which causes the user to seek out more of the drug to achieve more of a high.

The original dosage of the opiate they took is no longer effective because they have increased their number of opioid receptors. Taking the same amount of the drug only fills up some of the receptors, so they seek more of the drug so all receptors can be full and satisfied.

Inactivated opioid receptors are craving the drug and if left inactivated this leads to withdrawal symptoms. This is why a person abusing a drug must constantly seek out a high or they will feel sick or begin to experience withdrawal. When taken properly, the buprenorphine sticks to the increased opioid receptors.

It shoves the opioid out of the way and sticks or binds to all the receptors, but without the feelings of a high. Buprenorphine fills the receptors up and prevents withdrawal, but it is not strong enough to get the person high and will not let them experience euphoria. Subutex only contains buprenorphine while suboxone contains both buprenorphine and naloxone.

Naloxone is mixed with the buprenorphine to prevent misuse. An example of this would be that if you were currently high on heroin, taking naloxone intravenously would almost immediately cause a person to tumble into withdrawal symptoms.

Buprenorphine, as mentioned before, fills the receptors of the brain and activates them. Naloxone, on the other hand, is an opiate antagonist. Full but inactivated opiate receptors mean that the abuser will feel the pains of withdrawal very quickly. By now you might be thinking that taking suboxone sounds horrible and you would definitely pick Subutex over the other drug.

But in reality, there is no functional difference between the two drugs unless you abuse suboxone. The doctor will explain to you that suboxone must be dissolved underneath the tongue.

By taking the pill this way, the tiny amount of naloxone will have no effect on you.