Opioids are highly addictive drugs and are most commonly found in prescription painkillers. Many people can become addicted to opioids after using these prescribed drugs and use them for their relaxation and euphoric effects.

Suboxone and Subutex are drugs that help individuals combat their opioid addiction. Here, we explore the Suboxone vs Subutex question in detail and understand which medication is the most effective for opioid addiction treatment.

What Do Suboxone and Subutex Have in Common?

Subutex and Suboxone are brand-name medications that contain buprenorphine. Methadone is a Schedule II substance, whereas buprenorphine is a Schedule III substance. This distinction denotes that buprenorphine is considered a safer option for treating opiate addiction with less potential for addiction.

Before 2000, methadone was the main medication for opiate abuse treatment as per the Drug Addiction Treatment Act. Buprenorphine was approved for opiate addiction treatment in 2000, and in 2002, the FDA approved the use of Suboxone and Subutex.

Read more: How Long Does Suboxone Stay In Your System?

What Is Buprenorphine?

This medication is a partial opioid agonist. It teams with the brain’s opioid receptors to alleviate pain and promote feelings of wellness. Buprenorphine may not be a full opioid. The drug, however, acts like one by triggering moderate receptor site activity. When taken as directed, buprenorphine doesn’t cause a euphoric state.

Due to its opioid-like properties, buprenorphine helps reduce cravings and ease withdrawal symptoms that result from opiate drugs, including heroin.

What Differentiates Subutex from Suboxone?

When taken according to the medical prescription, Subutex and Suboxone help an individual combat opiate addiction without triggering intense cravings and painful withdrawal symptoms.

Subutex contains only buprenorphine, whereas Suboxone contains both buprenorphine and naloxone. While both are brand names and were created around the same time, Subutex was the first to be formulated.

Although Subutex was known to be a relatively effective treatment for opiate abuse, the drug still left a lot of scope for abuse. Individuals have attempted to inject it intravenously to feel as high as if they took prescription painkillers or heroin.

To counter this, buprenorphine was merged with naloxone so that if buprenorphine were abused, the naloxone would prevent the opioids from creating euphoric effects.

What is Naloxone?

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist. In other words, it prevents the opioids from reaching the receptor sites and thus significantly lowers the opportunity for drug misuse.

Both Subutex and Suboxone are available in the form of a sublingual tablet (a tablet that goes under the tongue). However, Suboxone is significantly higher in cost – up to double the cost, in fact – than Subutex.

Subutex vs. Suboxone: Which is Better?

Subutex and Suboxone – like other medications – come with potential side effects. Some of them include nausea, dizziness, constipation, headaches, and drowsiness.

There is little evidence to suggest that one drug type is superior when comparing them. When taken under medical supervision and as per the prescription, both Subutex and Suboxone work efficiently for:

• Minimized opioid withdrawal symptoms
• Reduced cravings

As discussed above, the main difference is their abuse potential. Due to the inclusion of naloxone, Suboxone is less likely to be misused. This single important factor determines the choice for those coping with their addictions.

Both Subutex and Suboxone must be intended for greater medical treatment purposes. It’s important to remember that medication, on its own, doesn’t complete the circle of treatment. It should be performed in conjunction with a therapy program that uproots the major causes that initiate the addiction in the first place.

Is Detox The Only Requirement?

It’s also important to go beyond the physical aspect of addiction when addressing opiate abuse. The psychological elements of addiction must be brought into the equation as well. Regardless of which opioid addiction medication is chosen, an individual’s psychological background should always be considered and explored through comprehensive therapy.

Opioid Detox From The Comfort of Your Home

The dangers of opioid addiction cannot be stressed enough. They can become a serious threat to your health and life. If you or your loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, the time to seek help is right now. At MD Home Detox, we can help you overcome opioid addiction by providing safe, comprehensive, and effective opioid detox in the comfort of your home.

Our addiction recovery and detox specialists are armed with the knowledge and experience to help you escape the clutches of addiction. By conducting a detailed assessment of your condition, we design a detox program to help you find a meaningful and lasting recovery journey. Contact us now to start healing.