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Medication Management
Suboxone
Suboxone
Suboxone is a prescription medication containing buprenorphine and naloxone. Suboxone comes in both tablets and sublingual film, which is placed under the tongue and dissolves quickly to enter the bloodstream rapidly. Suboxone eliminates the "high" or intense feeling of euphoria experienced by patients who abuse opioids. Suboxone treatment is a program that also includes behavioral therapy.
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What is Suboxone?
Suboxone combines buprenorphine and naloxone to chemically decrease the severity of withdrawal symptoms in patients with opioid dependence. Buprenorphine binds to brain receptors that are activated by opioids and block the receptors so that opioid-type drugs cannot stimulate them and create euphoria.
Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids in patients who use opioids while taking buprenorphine and prevents the "high" that would come from relapse. Suboxone is FDA-approved for the treatment of opioid use disorder.
How Does It Work?
Suboxone comes in both tablets and sublingual film, which is placed under the tongue and dissolves quickly. This allows for the medication to enter the bloodstream rapidly. Suboxone tricks the brain into thinking that it is receiving a full dose of an opioid, while naloxone blocks the activation of opioid receptors, thereby reversing the euphoria effects of buprenorphine.
Side Effects
Numb mouth
Painful Tongue
Insomnia
Nausea
Dizziness
Blurry Vision
Anxiety
Vomiting
Fainting
Backpain
Depression
Sweating
Irregular heartbeat
Drowsiness
Difficulty Concentrating
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
Suboxone treatment lowers the urge to use opioids, drug cravings, chances of relapse, and opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Disadvantages
There are small risks associated with Suboxone treatment:
- Suboxone can interact dangerously with alcohol
- Suboxone must be taken daily and requires participation in a comprehensive addiction treatment program
Co-Pay Assistance
Copy assistance is valid only for patients with private insurance who are prescribed Suboxone for on-label use.
Exclusions
Patients with government insurance are not eligible for the Assistance Program, including, but not limited to, Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, VA, DOD, TriCare, CHAMPVA, or any other federally or state funded government-assisted program.
Important Medical Information:
Indications
Suboxone is used to treat opioid addiction in adults.
Contraindications
Do not take Suboxone with other opioid medicines, benzodiazepines, alcohol, or street drugs. Do not inject Suboxone sublingual film, stop it suddenly, or switch to other medicines that contain buprenorphine without talking to your healthcare provider. Tell your healthcare provider if you have trouble breathing or lung problems, Addison's disease, an enlarged prostate gland, problems urinating, liver, kidney or gallbladder problems, alcoholism, a head injury or brain problem, mental health problems, adrenal gland or thyroid gland problems, tooth problems, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Side Effects
Suboxone can have serious side effects, including trouble breathing, sleepiness, dizziness, problems with coordination, physical dependence or abuse, liver problems, allergic reactions, opioid withdrawal, decrease in blood pressure, infertility, headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, pain, increased sweating, and insomnia.