Buprenorphine and Suboxone are both medications used to treat opioid addiction. While both of these medications are made to help people dealing with an opioid crisis, there are major differences in their composition and forms. Suboxone is generally only prescribed to treat opioid dependence, while Buprenorphine is also prescribed for pain..
While healthcare providers will prescribe these medications to help people with an opioid use disorder, they are not a cure-all. Treatment programs with other options are necessary for people to overcome their opioid addiction and learn how to live without opioids.
Key Points
- Buprenorphine and Suboxone are both used to treat opioid addiction.
- Suboxone is a combination of Buprenorphine and Naloxone, an opioid antagonist used to discourage opioid misuse.
- Suboxone is only prescribed to treat opioid dependence, while people can take Buprenorphine for back pain and other issues.
- Suboxone comes in tablets and sublingual film, and Buprenorphine is available as a tablet, injection, patch, and film.
- Side effects of Suboxone include insomnia, constipation, headache, and depression.
- People who take Buprenorphine may experience nausea, pain, and tiredness.
- Taking part in other treatment options, such as group and family therapy, along with cognitive behavioral therapy, can be beneficial, along with taking Buprenorphine and Suboxone.
What are the Differences Between Buprenorphine and Suboxone?
The main difference between Buprenorphine and Suboxone is in their composition. Buprenorphine is a single drug, while Suboxone is a combination of Buprenorphine and Naloxone. [1] Naloxone is an opioid antagonist. It works to discourage opioid misuse..
While Buprenorphine is prescribed to treat opioid dependence, it can also be used as a pain medication. Suboxone is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a pain medication. It is only given to treat opioid dependence.
A Closer Look at Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is given to people to help them reduce or quit their use of heroin or other opiates. When Buprenorphine is prescribed along with counseling and behavioral therapy, it can help many manage substance use disorder symptoms and help reduce the risk of an opioid overdose. [2] As long as Buprenorphine is taken as prescribed, it is a safe and effective treatment for opioid misuse or addiction.
Forms of Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is available in several forms:
- Sublingual Tablet
- Injectable Solution
- Transdermal Film, extended release
What are the Brand Names of Buprenorphine?
Buprenorphine is available under the brand names Belbuca, Brixadi, Buprenex, Butrans, and Sublocade.
A Closer Look at Suboxone
Suboxone is approved to treat opioid use disorder. [3] People with an addiction to opioids, such as heroin, can be prescribed Suboxone as part of a medication-assisted treatment. Medication-assisted therapy is a treatment that combines medications with counseling and support for greater success. The goal of a medication-assisted treatment is to manage withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapses.
- Forms of Suboxone: Suboxone is only available as a sublingual film. [4]
- Brand Names of Suboxone: Suboxone is also sold under the brand name Zubsolv.
Buprenorphine vs Suboxone: Effectiveness and Side Effects Comparison
If you are prescribed Buprenorphine or Suboxone for an opioid use disorder, being aware of how they work and their side effects can help you be better prepared for what lies ahead in your treatment plan.
Buprenophine Effectiveness
Buprenorphine acts like an opioid partial agonist that produces mild effects of pain relief and relieves symptoms of narcotic withdrawal.[5]
This has a ceiling effect on respiratory depression and poses a lower risk of overdose compared to other opioid agonists. Buprenorphine treatment after a nonfatal overdose has been linked to a 62% reduction in the risk of opioid-involved overdoses. [6]
For Buprenorphine to be effective, patients must abstain from opioid use for at least 12-24 hours before their first dose[7]. When taken correctly, buprenorphine can not only diminish the effects of physical dependence but also relieve withdrawal symptoms, such as cravings.
Side Effects of Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is known to cause several different side effects that include [8]:
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Pain
- Itching
- Tiredness
- Constipation
- Withdrawal
Anxiety, back pain, and bruising are also some less common side effects that people taking Buprenorphine may experience.
Benefits of Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is often prescribed as part of a treatment for opioid addiction because it is widely available and has a low risk of being abused. For best results, it is often recommended that Buprenorphine be given at the onset of any withdrawal symptoms. It can be adjusted to better deal with any cravings that should appear, as well as to deal with evolving withdrawal symptoms.
Suboxone Effectiveness
Suboxone is an effective drug when it comes to addressing opioid addiction. It works by binding to the same brain receptors as other addictive opioids like heroin, morphine, and oxycodone.[9] It helps stop the euphoria and intoxication that these drugs can cause and works to prevent cravings. Without experiencing the euphoric effects of opioids, many people can more easily work past their addiction.
Side Effects of Suboxone
Just like Buprenorphine, people who take Suboxone can also face side effects, including:[10]
- Insomnia
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Depression
- Nausea
- Serious dental problems
- Opioid Withdrawal
While not as common, back pain and diarrhea can also be side effects of Suboxone. Many side effects of Suboxone resolve themselves quickly, and people can focus on their recovery treatment.
Benefits of Suboxone
Despite its potential side effects, there are several benefits of Suboxone: [11]
- Helps to retain patients in treatment programs
- Reduces opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Lower potential for misuse than opiates
Suboxone is also widely available as it can be prescribed by physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners who have the authority to prescribe controlled substances and have a current DEA registration.
Types of Treatments that Can Accompany Buprenorphine and Suboxone
While both Buprenorphine and Suboxone are effective courses of treatment for opioid addiction, they should be given along with other therapies. [12]
Motivational Enhancement Therapy
Motivational Enhancement Therapy helps to build motivation to stay on track
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
This type of therapy helps to recognize and stop negative thinking patterns and behavior. It helps with coping skills and stress management.
Group Counseling
When people meet and sit with others who are going through the same struggles, they can feel as though they are not alone. This can also help them to learn new strategies for dealing with their situations.
Family Counseling
This involves partners and spouses and other family members who can help in the recovery process.
Learn More About Treatment for Opioid Addiction
If you or a loved one is dealing with an opioid use disorder, learning about different forms of treatment is important. Seek treatment to obtain a specific plan to deal with substance abuse.