Suboxone is a medicine that is typically used in treatment for addiction treatment for people suffering from opioid use disorder (OUD). It assists people in stopping their use of opioids by reducing withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings.1 Should you be aware that someone in your family is struggling with addiction to opioids and is trying to solve the problem, you might be interested in knowing how Suboxone could help in recovery.
Continue reading to learn the details about Suboxone treatment to understand how it works to treat addiction, the benefits of using Suboxone for addiction treatment as well as the possible side effects that could result from Suboxone use, and the best method to locate the nearest Suboxone treatment center close to you to get started on the journey towards recovery from opioid addiction.
Buprenorphine is what's is known as a partial agonist. It is an opioid that produces only a small amount of opioid effect. It is a result of buprenorphine's ability to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, but not creating the full effects of other opioids (such for fentanyl, heroin hydrocodone, etc. ) and will make it easier for you to quit the use of your opioid drug of choice.1
With its high binding affinity it can also prevent the other opioids in binding to and activating your opioid receptors, which could prevent the use of other opioids.1,3
A partial agonist, buprenorphine also has a higher limit on its effects, even in the case of increasing doses. The risk of abuse and overdose is less than with other opioids due to the fact that it has a limitation to how many opioid receptors are activated. This decreases the possibility to develop respiratory depression (dangerously slow breathing) which can be a symptom or risk of an opioid overdose.1,3
Naloxone can be described as an opioid antagonist medication that is incorporated with buprenorphine within Suboxone as well as similar combinations formulations. While naloxone may be used as a stand-alone remedy to stop the harmful effects of opioid overdose it is added to the combination to help prevent the abuse of buprenorphine. Should its dissolution be injected or taken via nasal route, which could cause the rapid withdrawal in opioid dependent individuals.1,3,4
While it is an effective treatment for addiction to opioids, Suboxone is frequently used in conjunction with a complete treatment program that includes not just medications as well as behavioral therapies, mutual-help groups and, when needed, treatment for any mental health issues that co-occur (like depression or anxiety).
Suboxone Uses and Safety
Suboxone is used to treat the condition known as opioid use disorder. It is the official diagnosis for opioid addiction. The use of medications is becoming the norm of care in managing OUD. If you decide to enter rehab for opioid addiction and you are eligible for treatment, you could receive medication for treatment for addiction as a key component of your plan for treatment. Medications like Suboxone for addiction treatment are component of the treatment plan, which also incorporates counselling and behavioral therapies to treat substance use disorders.
Suboxone is secure when used in the manner prescribed to treat OUD. Recently, Suboxone revised some of the information inside the administration and dosage section of the packaging of its pharmaceuticals, which includes the addition of the recommendation that health professionals prescribe naloxone due to the risk of people suffering from opioid use disorder to relapse, which puts patients at risk of overdose.5 In addition, for those dependent on short-acting opioids, the dose recommended for them was cut by half, limiting it to not more than 8 mg/2 mg Suboxone in the first day after acute withdrawal.5
When used as directed, it has a low possibility of overdose due to its ceiling of opioid effects, which we discussed earlier.6 The misuse of Suboxone, such as injecting it, using it in higher amounts than recommended, taking it when drinking the alcohol, or using sedatives, or taking it too soon after taking other opioids could put you at higher likelihood of experiencing negative effects.1
Taking Suboxone too soon after taking other opioids could trigger unpleasant withdrawal symptoms associated with opioids, such as shaking, sweating, stomach disturbance, and anxiety. Some other potential side effects, though rare, may happen, for instance, respiratory depression and overdose which are more likely due to misuse.7
Buprenorphine was developed in the 1970s as an alternative that was safer than other opioid pain medications. It was approved for use as a painkiller back in 1985 when it was categorized as an Schedule V substance, which are substances with been used for a long time and have a less risk of misuse than substances listed in Schedules I-IV. Clinicians recognized that buprenorphine could also be a safer and possibly more readily available alternative to methadone which was the main medication prescribed to treat addiction to opioids. addiction.4,7,8 The research conducted by the pharmaceutical industry eventually led to the decision to combine buprenorphine with naloxone in an attempt to further lower the chance of misuse of buprenorphine. Suboxone was granted FDA approval to treat opioid addiction in October 2002.8,9
Benefits of Suboxone Use in Medications for Addiction Treatment
Buprenorphine is one of essential medicines regulated by the World Health Organization, and is a crucial tool for helping those suffering from an opioid addiction disorder manage moderate to severe withdrawal and cravings.8 Some additional benefits of the use of Suboxone for addiction treatment are: 9,11
Increased overdose safety.
Lower risk of misuse.
Long-acting effects can allow for multiple-day dosing.
Potential Side Effects of Suboxone Use
As with any drug, Suboxone is associated with certain adverse reactions even when it is taken as recommended. A respiratory depression death is not common with Suboxone, but is more likely when people use Suboxone in conjunction with other medications that can reduce breathing, like tranquilizers, benzodiazepines, sedatives, or alcohol.1,3,9,12
Some of the most commonly reported side effects from Suboxone include:1
Headache.
Insomnia.
Sweating.
The swelling in the legs and arms.
Nausea.
Vomiting.
Constipation.
Numbness or numbness of the tongue, redness and burning if you use the orally dissolvable film.
Less frequently experienced, but more severe possible side effects are:1
Blood pressure is low when you sit up.
Affected liver function.
Changes in the adrenal gland.
Sleep-related breathing issues.
Allergies (if your allergies are to any of the ingredients).
Is Suboxone Addictive? Can People Misuse Suboxone?
Suboxone can result in physical dependence when used for long periods of time because of the presence of buprenorphine, an opioid.13 However dependence isn't identical to addiction. However, the ability to develop it even after the use of prescription drugs implies that you may experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop abruptly using it.
You should not stop using Suboxone unless you are directed to do so by your doctor. Your Suboxone treatment is monitored closely by health professionals throughout the course of treatment. Following the advice of your doctor, you will taper off Suboxone. This means gradual reduction of your dosage, when the time is right for you.1,13
Like all opioids, the buprenorphine component of Suboxone is a definite danger of misuse. As a partial opioid agonist the drug is incapable of eliciting the more profoundly positive effects of the other, more commonly abused opioid drugs like heroin and oxycodone.1 Naloxone is specifically included in the formulation of the combination to limit the potential for misuse since attempts to create the sensation of euphoria through unintended routes of use may instead result in opioid receptor blockade and precipitated withdrawal.4
It is essential to understand that Suboxone treatment for opioid use disorder is not only a substitute for one addiction to another. Instead, Suboxone assists people manage their previous compulsive and harmful opioid use, allowing them to resume a normal, more healthy life.13
Cost and Insurance Coverage of Suboxone
Suboxone is generally covered under health insurance. However, the coverage level may depend on your health insurance plan, health benefits, the treatment provider you choose, and many more. As per the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, most health care plans have to follow the same regulations to the treatment of substance abuse and mental health disorders , as they apply to physical health problems.4 However, it's important to verify your coverage with your insurance carrier. You can verify the benefits of your insurance and discover if your rehabilitation may be fully or only partially covered by filling out our application below.
Many rural communities across the United States lack adequate access to treatment for substance abuse and medication for addiction treatment which includes those for the opioid dependence disorder. In the Ryan Haight Act of 2008 controlled substances may be prescribed by way of the internet.14 According to this act, the healthcare professional prescribing the prescription must have visited the patient for at least one medical evaluation.14
The SUPPORT Act from 2018 however is a requirement for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to set up a regulatory process that allows individuals to obtain buprenorphine prescriptions via telemedicine, where the doctor or provider can meet with the patient for a telephone or video consult however, the DEA has yet to initiate this. Consequently, early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the regulators lifted the in-person restriction of the Ryan Haight Act to expand the availability of buprenorphine to people who require opioid disorder treatment.14,15 Therefore, the federal regulatory modifications made during the COVID-19 pandemicmay permit some addiction treatment providers, who make use of telemedicine to prescribe buprenorphine without the initial in-person evaluation.16
Can I Get Same-Day Suboxone Treatment?
Same-day admission into a detox program may be beneficial if you or a loved one is suffering from or are at risk of developing withdrawal symptoms related to opioids.
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