While Suboxone was approved by the FDA in 2002 to treat patients with severe opioid use disorder, the main ingredient (Buprenorphine) was originally developed in 1966. It was intended to be an alternative pain medication for opiate products like Morphine and Dilaudid.
The FDA approved buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone for opioid use disorder treatment in the United States in October 2002. Suboxone can reduce the risk of overdose and mortality associated with opioid use disorder by up to 50%.
Four Things You Should know About Suboxone
Suboxone is a Partial Opioid Agonist
Suboxone is an opioid treatment medicine used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Unlike methadone, oxycodone, or most other narcotics, it only “partially” fastens to opioid receptors in the brain. This relieves the craving symptoms without the complete physical dependency of aforementioned opioid medications. For example, someone taking methadone for a protracted period of time will develop a strong physical dependency making the tapering period rather long, and sometimes requires hospitalization for detoxification.
- Suboxone Has two Important ingredients
Suboxone is comprised of two medications: Buprenorphine and Naloxone. The Buprenorphine relieves the craving and withdrawal symptoms. However, the Naloxone suppresses the narcotic effects: it’s an opioid antagonist. Most know this medication as the life-saving medicine in Narcan that can reverse opioid overdose. As you can imagine, Naloxone hinders he ability for a person to get “high” on outside drugs like Fentanyl, heroin, and more while taking Suboxone as prescribed. Which is why the FDA approved it’s use as an addiction recovery medication.
- Suboxone Comes in Two Forms
Suboxone was devised to be easy for addiction recovery patients to take. It comes in two forms: a pressed tablet and a sublingual film, both of which dissolve in your mouth. Basically, both of these methods offer the same outcomes. However, tablets are typically less expensive than the film, and some patients feel they are more discreet. At the same time, some patients would rather use the film form so they can taper their dose in smaller amounts more easily: the film can be cut more accurately with scissors. As you might expect, cutting pills precisely can be challenging when lowering doses or tapering off the medicine entirely.
- Suboxone is ONLY 50% of a MAT Program
While medication-assisted treatment is a game-changer for patients with opioid use disorder, it is only part of a MAT program. Comprehensive medically assisted treatment combines a supervised medication regimen with evidence-based behavioral therapy. While it is a harm reduction tool, it also frees patients from distracting withdrawal symptoms so they can more easily focus on behavioral change: which is vital for lasting recovery. Suboxone is not right for everyone, which is why every patient considering Suboxone treatment undergoes a complete evaluation prior to its use. Every recovery journey is unique, and your addiction treatment center or psychiatrist will explain the pro’s and con’s in great detail so you can make educated decision about Suboxone and MAT care.
About Celadon Recovery
Celadon is comprehensive addiction and mental health treatment center located along the shores of the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers, Florida. With a full-continuum of care including detox, residential, and outpatient programs, we are committed to quality substance use and co-occurring disorder care. Call us today at 239-266-2141.
