What Is the Difference Between Suboxone and Subutex?4 min read

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Suboxone and Subutex are both medicines that contain buprenorphine, a drug used to treat opioid dependence. Both of these medications are used to treat opiate addiction. The main difference between Suboxone and Subutex is that Suboxone is a combination of the buprenorphine and naloxone (an opioid antagonist), while Subutex only contains buprenorphine.

Whether you take one or the other will depend on several factors. For example, if you have had problems with abusing any drugs in the past, your doctor might recommend that you take Subutex instead of Suboxone. Understanding how each medication works will help you decide which one is right for you.

What is the difference between Suboxone and Subutex?

Both Suboxone and Subutex contain the same active ingredient – buprenorphine. This opioid acts on the same receptors as heroin, morphine, or prescription painkillers.

However, both drugs work differently in one key area. In order to prevent abuse, Suboxone is formulated with naloxone. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, which means that it binds to the same receptors as other opioids. When someone takes Suboxone, the naloxone is responsible for making the high less intense. The naloxone does not affect people who are taking the drug as prescribed.

Subutex does not contain naloxone. Because of this, the high from Subutex is much stronger than the high from Suboxone. If you take Subutex, you will not experience the same level of withdrawal as you would if you take Suboxone, because the naloxone in Suboxone will block your withdrawal symptoms.

How do Suboxone and Subutex work?

Both medications work to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings related to opiate addiction. The buprenorphine acts on the same receptors as opioids, essentially replacing them and blocking the effects of heroin, morphine, or prescription painkillers.

When someone takes Suboxone, the naloxone is responsible for making the high less intense. The naloxone does not affect people who are taking the drug as prescribed. This is because the naloxone is administered in a lower dose than needed for it to block the effects of the Suboxone.

The naloxone is only meant to prevent the abuse of buprenorphine by people who inject or snort the drug. If someone abuses Suboxone or Subutex, the naloxone will block the opioid effects, which will cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

Which drug is used for opioid dependence?

Both Suboxone and Subutex are used to treat opioid dependence. If you have been struggling with opioid addiction, you will probably be prescribed Subutex or Suboxone as part of your treatment plan.

However, both drugs have different uses. Suboxone is a combination of the buprenorphine and naloxone. This combination is used to treat opioid dependence. Because of the naloxone in Suboxone, it is also used to treat pain caused by an injury or condition such as arthritis. Subutex only contains buprenorphine, which is used for opioid dependence treatment.

Which medication is used to end opioid dependence?

Both Subutex and Suboxone are used to treat opioid dependence. However, Subutex can also be used to end opioid dependence. This is because Subutex only contains buprenorphine, while Suboxone also contains the opioid antagonist naloxone.

When taking Subutex to end opioid dependence, the person will experience withdrawal symptoms. This is because Subutex does not contain the opioid antagonist naloxone, which would otherwise block withdrawal symptoms.

Pros of taking Suboxone over taking Subutex

There is a lower risk of overdose when taking Suboxone compared to Subutex.
People taking Suboxone are less likely to end up in the hospital due to an overdose.
Those taking Suboxone are less likely to abuse the drug and become dependent on it.
People on Suboxone are less likely to relapse than people on Subutex.
People on Suboxone are less likely to engage in illegal activities in order to obtain more drugs.
People taking Suboxone are less likely to share their medications.

Cons of taking Suboxone over taking Subutex

There is the risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms if the drug is stopped too soon.
People taking Suboxone are more likely to develop a dependence on the drug.
There is a risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms if the drug is stopped too soon.
People taking Suboxone are more likely to develop a dependence on the drug.
There is a risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms if the drug is stopped too soon.

Conclusion

Suboxone and Subutex are both used to treat opioid dependence. Both drugs contain the same active ingredient – buprenorphine. The main difference between the two is that Suboxone is a combination of the buprenorphine and naloxone (an opioid antagonist), while Subutex only contains buprenorphine.

When someone takes Suboxone, the naloxone is responsible for making the high less intense. The naloxone does not affect people who are taking the drug as prescribed.

However, Subutex only contains buprenorphine. When taking this drug, there is a lower risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms, but there is also a higher risk of developing an overdose.