Naloxone or buprenorphine is a prescription medicine utilized to treat opioid addiction. On the other hand, Suboxone is the brand name of that particular medication. Patients struggling with opioid addictions can get suboxone online from Recovery Delivered. Usually, it’s in film or tablet form. Physicians will instruct you to take it sublingually (place beneath your tongue) or buccally(between the gum and cheeks). Once the film or tablet is in your mouth, it melts. It is bioavailable and therefore has no pill form.
Aside from that, every suboxone film includes two prescription painkillers: naloxone and buprenorphine. They come in four different strengths:
- 3 milligrams naloxone / 12 milligrams buprenorphine
- 8-milligram Buprenorphine / 2-milligram naloxone
- 1-milligram naloxone / 4-milligram buprenorphine
- 0.5 milligrams naloxone / 2 milligrams buprenorphine
Research has demonstrated that Suboxone can help prevent opioid abuse. It’s equally helpful for keeping patients with opioid addiction in therapy, usually six months. The length of time a patient remains in therapy helps determine the effectiveness of medications like Suboxone.
Suboxone: Is It A Regulated Drug?
Suboxone is a regulated drug. The food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies Suboxone as a schedule III medication. While it is medically viable, it can lead to psychological or physical dependency and misuse. The laws governing treatment have strict guidelines on how doctors can prescribe category III medications and their supply by pharmacists. You can seek additional information from your physician and local pharmacist.
Note that the law only allows physicians to administer this treatment option for opioid addiction once the physician completes the appropriate training and receives accreditation from the national government of the United States.
Generic Suboxone
Suboxone, as a medication brand name, has naloxone and buprenorphine. Besides, it’s also accessible in a non-proprietary form. Its generic forms include;
- Oral tablets
- Oral film
These two forms(film and tablet) allow intake by placing them under the tongue or between their cheek and gum, where they dissolve.
The Side Effects Of Suboxone
Using Suboxone can result in minor to severe adverse effects. Below is a list of common negative effects you may experience when using Suboxone. It’s not a comprehensive list, but it covers the most common side effects. It’s essential to consult your physician and pharmacist for additional information on other potential adverse reactions of using Suboxone and advice on coping mechanisms for problematic side effects.
- Stomach cramps
- Anxiety
- Feeling weak/ fatigued
- Tongue feeling on fire
- Constipation
- Racing heartbeat
- Withdrawal symptoms from opioids, for instance, bodily pain.
- Backache
- Sensitivity in the mouth
- Headaches
- Sleeplessness
- High perspiration
- Depression
These adverse side effects should subside after some days or within a week. Contact your pharmacist or physician if they persist.
Severe Side Effects
It’s uncommon to experience severe side effects from using Suboxone. However, do not rule them out. Should you face any, contact a doctor immediately. If you have life-threatening symptoms or believe you’re experiencing a real emergency, dial 911.
Here are severe side effects that you should pay attention to;
- Serious allergic response
- Damage to liver
- Misuse and dependency
- Difficulty in breathing
- Hormonal complications; insufficiency of the adrenal glands
- Coma
- Extreme withdrawal issues
Applications Of Suboxone
The FDA approves prescription medications like Suboxone for the treatment of particular ailments. However, they can also treat off-label problems.
- Suboxone For Dependence On Opioids
Suboxone is an opioid addiction treatment authorized by the FDA. The American Society of Addiction Medicine recommends Suboxone as therapy for opioid addictions. It aids in treating opioid dependency by lessening the effects of accompanying withdrawal symptoms resulting from decreasing or terminating the use of opioids.
- Suboxone In Handling Withdrawal Symptoms
Doctors occasionally administer suboxone off-label during detoxification to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms. It lessens the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. Typical detoxing treatment sessions are often brief inpatient care regimens that wean patients off harmful substances like opioids and alcohol.
It’s worth noting that opioid dependency therapy is lengthy. Most of the time, the treatment strategies implemented to lowering opioid dependence are in outpatient settings.
- Suboxone In Relieving Pain
Suboxone is ideal for relief off-label. But, this application is contentious since it is unclear how effective it is or if Suboxone relieves pain. It can be effective for patients who suffer from chronic pain and opiate addiction. Buprenorphine, a medical element in Suboxone, relieves pain. However, researchers are yet to agree on the effectiveness of this component.
- Suboxone Treatment For Depression
There’s no Suboxone prescription for depression. However, buprenorphine, a component of Suboxone, can treat depression. Research states that buprenorphine enhances the moods of those suffering from depression.