Subutex

Subutex is an FDA-approved drug used to treat addiction to opioids, sometimes called opiate drugs, such as codeine, fentanyl, heroin, hydrocodone, methadone, morphine, opium, oxycodone, paregoric and sufentanil.

Subutex contains buprenorphine, and is sometimes given with its sister drug, Suboxone, which contains a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone.  Subutex is in a group of medications known as opioid partial agonist-antagonists.  Subutex can be taken in place of an opioid, because it produces some of the effects of the addictive opioid, but without the negative effects of drug use.

Those who take Subutex will not become addicted to the drug, because the maximum effects a user can get from Subutex are much lower than those achieved with a full agonist drug, such as heroin or methadone.

Suboxone is used as an addiction deterrent, and is often given alongside or instead of Subutex.  Suboxone deters addiction by giving any user who tries to inject the tablets—instead of taking them orally—severe withdrawal symptoms.

The FDA approved both Subutex and Suboxone for opiate addiction treatment in 2002, and in conjunction with the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000, made breakthroughs for opioid addiction treatment.  Licensed physicians now had the freedom to treat opiate addiction outside of the traditional detoxification clinic.

At Lakeview Health Systems, our opiate addition treatment can help you withdraw from opioids safely and with little to no withdrawal symptoms.  Call us today at 1-800-657-4357.

Subutex and Suboxone should not be confused with Buprenex, another form of buprenorphine that is not approved for opiate addiction treatment.

Subutex is used during a medically assisted withdrawal, also known as a detoxification.  Subutex treatment begins after the client stopped taking any opioid drug for a day or two prior to the beginning of treatment, allowing the opioids to leave the client's bloodstream.  If any opioids are in the client's bloodstream when Subutex is administered, severe, acute symptoms of withdrawal can occur.

As the client continues taking Subutex, he or she should have greatly reduced their amount of drug use, and should not be experiencing side effects.  Any cravings or side effects that remain will be addressed by the clinician, possibly adjusting the Subutex dosage.

Once the client is doing well on the Subutex, a clinician will determine the length of this final safeguarding phase of Subutex treatment.  Some clients will remain on Subutex indefinitely, and some can be weaned off the drug altogether.

Lakeview Health Systems offers Subutex and Suboxone detoxification programs within its opioid addiction program, which helps clients transition smoothly from detox to drug rehab.  We are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, seven days a week; call us at 1-800-657-4357.

Typical side effects of Subutex are the same as other opioids, and include constipation, difficulty with sleeping, headache, stomach irritation, sweating, and vomiting.

Studies show that Subutex and Suboxone are as effective as other detoxification medications to treat opioid addictions when used in moderate dosages.  Methadone may be a more effect treatment for those with a more severe drug addiction.