Subutex vs. Suboxone: Understanding the Differences

Subutex vs Suboxone: Navigating the world of opioid addiction treatment can be overwhelming. Two medications you’ll likely encounter are Subutex and Suboxone. While both are valuable tools in recovery, they have key differences that make them suitable for different stages of treatment. This article breaks down those distinctions to help you understand which might be best for you or your loved one.

What are Subutex and Suboxone?

Both Subutex and Suboxone are prescription medications primarily used to treat opioid addiction. They were created and patented by Indivior UK Limited. They belong to a class of drugs called partial opioid agonists, which means they bind to the same receptors in the brain as opioids like heroin or prescription painkillers. However, they activate these receptors to a lesser degree, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the same euphoria or feeling of being “high.”

  • Subutex: Subutex contains only buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that helps alleviate withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
  • Suboxone: Suboxone contains buprenorphine and naloxone. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids. It’s added to Suboxone to discourage misuse. If Suboxone is injected, the naloxone will trigger withdrawal symptoms.

Subutex vs Suboxone: Key Differences and Considerations

Naloxone: The most significant difference lies in the presence of naloxone in Suboxone. This ingredient is crucial in preventing misuse and diversion. Subutex, without naloxone, has a higher potential for abuse.

Treatment Stage: Subutex is typically used in the initial stages of treatment, particularly for individuals who are still experiencing withdrawal symptoms. This is because naloxone can precipitate withdrawal if someone is still physically dependent on opioids. Once stabilized, patients are often transitioned to Suboxone for ongoing maintenance therapy.

Pregnancy: According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Suboxone is safe during pregnancy. However, this opinion is fairly new in the medical community. Until recently, 

Subutex was generally preferred for pregnant women with opioid addiction. This is because naloxone’s effects on the developing fetus were not fully understood.

“Our findings suggest that buprenorphine treatment during pregnancy has some advantages for infants compared with methadone and is equally safe,” says Dr. Hendrée Jones, who led the multicenter study while at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and is now at RTI International.

Side Effects: Both medications can cause similar side effects, including:

  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Sweating
  • Forms and Administration: Both Subutex and Suboxone are available as sublingual films (placed under the tongue) and tablets. Generic equivalents are available for both medications.

Subutex vs Suboxone: Benefits

Both medications offer numerous benefits in opioid addiction treatment:

  • Reduced cravings: They help manage cravings, making it easier to abstain from opioid use.
  • Withdrawal symptom relief: They alleviate the often debilitating symptoms of opioid withdrawal, such as muscle aches, anxiety, and insomnia.
  • Improved quality of life: By reducing cravings and withdrawal, they enable individuals to focus on other aspects of recovery, like therapy and rebuilding their lives.
  • Reduced risk of overdose: When used as prescribed, they significantly lower the risk of overdose compared to continuing opioid use.

Subutex vs Suboxone: Choosing the Right Medication

The choice between Subutex and Suboxone is crucial and can only be made by a doctor well-versed in addiction treatment. In general, Subutex is used only in the event a patient has an allergy to naloxone, though true allergic reactions to naloxone are extremely rare.   

While some people may experience side effects after receiving naloxone, these are usually not due to an allergy. Instead, they are often caused by the sudden reversal of opioid effects, which can lead to withdrawal symptoms like:

  • Nausea and vomiting   
  • Runny nose and watery eyes   
  • Agitation and restlessness   
  • Muscle aches and spasms

Symptoms of a true allergic reaction to naloxone might include:

  • Hives or rash   
  • Itching   
  • Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat   
  • Difficulty breathing   
  • Severe dizziness or loss of consciousness

Patients are likely required to obtain medical proof of an allergy in order to be prescribed naloxone. Testing for a naloxone allergy is best performed while under supervised medical care in the event of an adverse action.

Beyond Medication: A Comprehensive Approach

It’s important to remember that Subutex and Suboxone are just one part of effective opioid addiction treatment. They are most successful when combined with other therapies, such as:

  • Counseling: Individual and group therapy can help address the underlying causes of addiction, develop coping mechanisms, and prevent relapse.
  • Support groups: Connecting with others in recovery can provide valuable support and encouragement.
  • Lifestyle changes: Healthy habits, such as regular exercise, nutritious eating, and stress management techniques, can support long-term recovery.

Telemedicine Addiction Treatment Accepting TennCare and All Major Insurance

Recovery Care is a state-licensed, outpatient addiction treatment provider in Tennessee providing online Suboxone treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, and case management as a comprehensive approach to helping people overcome opioid use disorder (OUD).

If you or someone you love is struggling with opioid addiction, please know that help is available. 

Recovery Care of Columbia
Call or text: (931) 548-3062
Website: https://recoverycarecolumbia.com/ 

TennCare Medicaid is Accepted for Telemedicine Suboxone treatment:

  • Amerigroup Community Care
  • BlueCare
  • United Healthcare Community Plan
  • Wellpoint Community Care

All Major Insurance is Accepted for Online Addiction Treatment:

  • BlueCross Blue Shield (BCBS)
  • Aetna
  • Ambetter
  • Anthem
  • Ascension
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Cigna
  • Humana
  • Oscar
  • United Healthcare

Register for Same-Day Online Addiction Treatment by Clicking a Link Below