Suboxone

Q: What kind of opioid is in Suboxone?

<p>The active ingredient in <a href="https://www.withpower.com/clinical-trials/suboxone">Suboxone</a>, Buprenorphine, is attractive to both patients and medical professionals treating them because it is a partial agonist of the mu opioid receptor and an antagonist of the kappa receptor.</p>

Pain, Itching, Septic Shock + 7 more

Treatment

8 FDA approvals

20 Active Studies for Suboxone

Treatment for

Pain

What is Suboxone

Naloxone

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Naloxone is a medication that blocks or reverses the effects of opioid drugs like morphine and fentanyl. It is used to treat drug overdoses which can cause serious symptoms like difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness. Naloxone can be given as an injection, nasal spray, or intravenous (IV) infusion. It is also available in the combination product Suboxone with the opioid medication buprenorphine. Naloxone works quickly but only lasts for a short time, so it is important to monitor the person injected for responsiveness and provide additional doses if needed. It is also important to note that naloxone

Narcan

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Suboxone Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Narcan

Naloxone

1971

241

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Naloxone, otherwise called Narcan, is approved by the FDA for 8 uses including Pain and Opioid Dependence .

Pain

Used to treat moderate Pain in combination with Pentazocine

Opioid Dependence

Used to treat Opioid Dependence in combination with Buprenorphine

Septic Shock

Pain

Used to treat Severe Pain in combination with Pentazocine

Opioid-Related Disorders

Used to treat Opioid Dependence in combination with Buprenorphine

Septic Shock

Opioids

Respiratory Insufficiency

Effectiveness

How Suboxone Affects Patients

Naloxone is a medicine that can be used to counteract the effects of opioid overdoses. It wears off faster than opioids, so multiple doses may be needed. Naloxone has a wide range of effectiveness, and is only useful if the person has taken opioids. When administered, naloxone may cause withdrawal symptoms and it should be noted that it may not completely alleviate all symptoms if other drugs are present.

How Suboxone works in the body

Naloxone is a drug that blocks the effects of opioids. When someone has taken opioids, naloxone can be used to reverse their effects. If someone hasn't taken opioids, naloxone won't have any significant effect.

When to interrupt dosage

The prescribed dosage of Suboxone is dependent upon the determined illness, such as Opioid Dependence, Pain and Septic Shock. The extent of dosage shifts depending on the system of delivery (e.g. Spray, metered or Tablet) as documented in the table below.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Opioids

, 0.4 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mL, 0.5 mg, 2.0 mg, 0.4 mg, 40.0 mg/mL, 4.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 2.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 3.0 mg, 2.9 mg, 0.36 mg, 0.71 mg, 1.4 mg, 2.1 mg, 0.18 mg, 0.7 mg, 0.3 mg, 4.0 mg/mL, 0.02 mg/mL, 1.8 mg, 80.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL

, Intramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Parenteral, Injection - Parenteral, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Sublingual, Tablet - Sublingual, Film, soluble, Film, soluble - Sublingual, Intramuscular; Subcutaneous, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Subcutaneous, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Liquid, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Solution, Nasal, Spray, Spray - Nasal, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Sublingual, Spray, metered, Spray, metered - Nasal, Film, Film - Buccal, Buccal, Pill - Sublingual, Pill, Buccal; Sublingual, Film, soluble - Buccal; Sublingual, Film - Buccal; Sublingual, Intravenous, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Parenteral; Topical, Inhalant, Inhalant - Nasal

Itching

Opioid-Related Disorders

Septic Shock

Respiratory Insufficiency

Opioids

Pain

Emergency Care

Opioids

Pain

Warnings

Suboxone Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Naloxone may interact with Pulse Frequency

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Suboxone.

Common Suboxone Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

(R)-warfarin

Major

The metabolism of (R)-warfarin can be decreased when combined with Naloxone.

(S)-Warfarin

Major

The metabolism of (S)-Warfarin can be decreased when combined with Naloxone.

1,2-Benzodiazepine

Major

The metabolism of 1,2-Benzodiazepine can be decreased when combined with Naloxone.

3,5-diiodothyropropionic acid

Major

The metabolism of 3,5-diiodothyropropionic acid can be decreased when combined with Naloxone.

5-androstenedione

Major

The metabolism of 5-androstenedione can be decreased when combined with Naloxone.

Suboxone Toxicity & Overdose Risk

Naloxone has no significant effect on people who have not taken opioids. The lowest toxic dose in mice and rats when taken orally is greater than 1 g/kg. When given intraperitoneally, the lowest toxic dose is 80 mg/kg in mice and 239 mg/kg in rats. When given subcutaneously, the lowest toxic dose is 286 mg/kg in mice and 500 mg/kg in rats.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Suboxone Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Suboxone?

64 active trials are presently analyzing the potential of Suboxone to treat Opioids Abuse, Pain Management and Opioid Relapse Prevention.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Emergency Care

0 Actively Recruiting

Opioids

0 Actively Recruiting

Opioid-Related Disorders

0 Actively Recruiting

Septic Shock

0 Actively Recruiting

Respiratory Insufficiency

0 Actively Recruiting

Itching

2 Actively Recruiting

Phase 3, Not Applicable

Pain

0 Actively Recruiting

Opioids

7 Actively Recruiting

Phase 4, Not Applicable, Phase 2, Phase 1

Opioids

6 Actively Recruiting

Phase 2, Not Applicable, Early Phase 1, Phase 4

Pain

0 Actively Recruiting

Suboxone Reviews: What are patients saying about Suboxone?

Patient Review

1/20/2015

Suboxone for Chronic Pain

This treatment has greatly improved my quality of life by reducing the pain I experience on a day-to-day basis. I highly recommend it to others who are struggling with chronic pain management.

Patient Review

3/6/2015

Suboxone for Narcotic Addiction

I'm always impressed with how well this treatment works. I feel great after using it!

4.3

Patient Review

1/26/2021

Suboxone for Narcotic Addiction

Suboxone has been a game-changer for me. I've only been taking it for a couple weeks, but it's helped immensely. I know the strips aren't ideal, but they're better than going back to using fentanyl.

4.3

Patient Review

7/13/2022

Suboxone for Prevention of Opiate Drug Abuse

Suboxone unfortunately causes weight gain in addition to chronic constipation. Unless you're using a laxative daily, be prepared to see the number on the scale go up.

3.7

Patient Review

5/8/2022

Suboxone for Narcotic Addiction

They don't tell you that you can get addicted to this medication, and it's harder to stop taking it than it is to start.

3.7

Patient Review

1/26/2021

Suboxone for Prevention of Opiate Drug Abuse

I started taking suboxone recently to help wean myself off of fentanyl, and it's going well so far. I haven't experienced any cravings since starting the medication. However, I don't like the strips at all. They taste terrible and it's hard to keep them in place on my tongue. I'm planning on getting off the medication as soon as possible.

3.3

Patient Review

1/15/2021

Suboxone for Narcotic Addiction

I am currently tapering off suboxone after being prescribed it for the past three years. I can confirm that the withdrawal symptoms are incredibly difficult, and much worse than coming off of opiates. If you can help it, don't stay on this drug as long as I did. I'm not looking forward to the next six months of depression.

image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about suboxone

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

What does Suboxone do to you mentally?

"Suboxone can have negative effects on the brain and behavior, especially when used incorrectly. Possible side effects include depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Suboxone also has a high potential for being diverted for abuse."

Answered by AI

What do they give you Suboxone for?

"Suboxone is a prescription medication that is used to treat people who are addicted to opioids. It contains two ingredients, Buprenorphine and Naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, which means that it blocks the opioid receptors and reduces a person's urges."

Answered by AI

Is Suboxone a painkiller?

"Naloxone — an opiate antagonist that limits the euphoric effects of opioids.

Suboxone is a partial opioid that contains a combination of two components: Buprenorphine, a mild opiate analgesic that helps treat moderate pain, and Naloxone, an opiate antagonist that limits the euphoric effects of opioids. Suboxone is used to treat opioid addiction and chronic pain."

Answered by AI

What kind of opioid is in Suboxone?

"The active ingredient in Suboxone, Buprenorphine, is attractive to both patients and medical professionals treating them because it is a partial agonist of the mu opioid receptor and an antagonist of the kappa receptor."

Answered by AI

Is Suboxone a controlled substance or a narcotic?

"Suboxone is a drug classified as a Schedule III controlled substance in the United States, meaning it is a drug deemed to have medical value yet also carry moderate risk for addiction. Only doctors who receive certifications from the Department of Health and Human Services may prescribe Suboxone."

Answered by AI

Is Suboxone the same as methadone?

"No, methadone and Suboxone have different ingredients. Methadone only has one ingredient, methadone hydrochloride. Suboxone is a combination of two medications, buprenorphine and naloxone."

Answered by AI

What exactly does Suboxone do?

"Suboxone is a prescription medication used in treating those addicted to Opioids, illegal or prescription. It contains the ingredients Buprenorphine and Naloxone. Buprenorphine, a partial Opioid agonist, blocks the Opiate receptors and reduces a person's urges to use Opioids."

Answered by AI