Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine Addiction Treatment

Beuprenorphin, also called Subutex®, is used to treat an addiction to opioid drugs. Opiate drugs include codeine, fentanyl, heroin, hydrocodone, methadone, morphine, opium, oxycodone, paregoric and sufentanil.
Buprenorphine addiction treatment is part of a medically assisted withdrawal, commonly referred to as detoxification or detox. The drug is first administered after the client has refrained from taking an opioid drug at least 12 to 24 hours prior to the beginning of opiate addiction treatment. This time frame allows the opioids to leave the client's bloodstream. If opioids remain in the client's bloodstream when buprenorphine is administered, the client can experience withdrawal symptoms.

During the next phase of buprenorphine treatment, the client should have greatly reduced his or her use of opioids, and not be experiencing any side effects.  If the client is still experiencing cravings or any side effects, this is the point when the clinician will make adjustments to the buprenorphine dosage.

The final stage of the medically assisted withdrawal process is reached when the client is doing well on a steady dose of buprenorphine.  The length of time that a client is on buprenorphine is different for each case; some clients will remain in this phase of treatment indefinitely, or a clinician will ease the client off the buprenorphine.
Typical side effects of buprenorphine include:

• headache
• stomach pain
• constipation
• vomiting
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• sweating

Those taking buprenorphine can become addicted to the drug, because it is an opiate. The good news is that when the buprenorphine reaches a certain level with moderate dosage, the euphoric effects do not increase beyond that moderate level, even with increased dosages. Studies show that buprenorphine is as effective as methadone and LAAM to treat an opiate addiction when used in moderate dosages. For those with a higher level of physical dependency on opioids, methadone may still be a more effect treatment.

Lakeview Health Systems offers an opiate addiction detoxification program within our opiate addiction program, to help clients transition smoothly from detox to drug rehab.  We're available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call at 1-866-657-4357. All calls are toll-free and confidential.