Buvidal Vs Methadone: Key Differences Explained

Buvidal Vs Methadone. Sounds like a Rocky film. There are some key differences between them. Let me explain…..

Opioid Substitution Treatment (OST) is the mainstay of treatment for heroin/opioid addiction across the world. There are two very commonly used medications that are used Methadone and Buvidal

Both medications have been in use for many, many decades* and there is a plethora of evidence based research to demonstrate how effective they are. Every local authority drug and alcohol service offers these , if appropriate to your needs and they are also available at nearly every private centre/outpatient service. (*Buvidal is a more modern way of taking Buprenorphine through injections rather than tablets.)

Due to the way services are commissioned and funded your GP can not prescribe Methadone or Buvidal for addiction. Both medications are used for pain management, but usually through a specialist service.

Here at Find Me a Rehab we have experienced addictions clinicians who have many decades experience prescribing both methadone and buprenorphine. If you, a loved one, friend, relative or employee need a Free Rehab Referral Service call us. We provide Free Clinician Drug Advice.

Buvidal Vs Methadone: Key Differences

It is often thought that Methadone and Buvidal are very different: Not so! Let’s take a closer look:

Clinicians Prescribe Them for the Same Reasons

The aim of Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) is to prevent someone wishing to get free of opioids from going through withdrawals and cravings. Due to the way opioids work on chemical pathways in the brain, when you stop using them, channels in the brain are affected with leads to physical symptoms, as well as psychological effects. Should someone stop using opioids without substitution therapy, the following may be experienced:

• Severe insomnia
• Extreme agitation and anxiety
• Excessive yawning
• Very heavy sweating
• Persistent loose stools
• Painful stomach cramps
• Goosebumps
• Heavy flu like symptoms

If someone goes into withdrawal it can be very distressing: It can also be very dangerous. Forget what you see on TV and in films that people can “ride it out” going “cold turkey” (reference to goosebumps). Severe withdrawals can be fatal due to dehydration from loose stools. When someone is in withdrawal they have incredibly strong urges to use so as to stop the symptoms of withdrawal. The problem is that your tolerance to opioids will drop: Quickly. When someone is in severe withdrawal they will try and reverse the effects by using a larger amount of opioids than they are used to using. Combine this with a drop in tolerance and the risks significantly increase.

Methadone and Buvidal will both stop these withdrawals. They are both opioids though they work slightly differently. Methadone can be started as soon as someone starts to withdraw whereas Buvidal needs to be started when you are in withdrawal. This is because Buvidal will “knock off” opioids on receptors in the brain and thus push you into withdrawal.

Here at Find Me a Rehab we have experienced addictions clinicians who have many decades experience prescribing both methadone and buvidal. If you, a loved one, friend, relative or employee need a Free Rehab Referral Service call us. We provide Free Clinician Drug Advice.

Buvidal Vs Methadone: Key Differences

They’re Both Opioids

Both methadone and Buvidal are opioids. Methadone is fully synthetic whereas Buvidal contains some natural compounds. Buvidal attaches itself to some of the opioid pathway receptors whereas Methadone attaches itself to all of them. In technical terms, Methadone is a full agonist whereas Buvidal is a partial agonist.

They Have Similar Side Effects

As both Methadone and Buvidal are both opioids they can cause side effects which are very similar:

• Constipation
• sweating
• Sleeplessness
• Feeling dizzy
• Lightheadedness
• Vomiting
• Nausea

While these side effects can be mildly uncomfortable, they usually subside and your clinician will always be happy to discuss. There are medications that can be taken to reduce these.

You Can Use Them as Maintenance Medications

The most effective way to use Methadone and Buvidal is to, first, get stabilised on them and then stay on that dose for a year before reducing. Clearly, that does not suit everyone but for those who choose this treatment pathway, there is a high chance of abstinence from opioid use. This is known as maintenance and is a very effective treatment. However, this doesn’t suit everyone and the majority of people who use OST look for a detox over a periods of weeks: rather than months.

What are the differences between Methadone and Buvidal?

Methadone has been in use since the 1940s so there is more research available. Originally, it was designed as a low cost pain killer. In the 1960’s heroin addiction became more prevalent and it was found that Methadone was an effective way of preventing continued use. To this day, it is considered the gold standard of opioid substitution treatment. Buprenorphine was not licenced in the US until 2002 in tablet form. Injectable Buprenorphine (Buvidal) has only become available in the last decade.

Buprenorphine is a “blocker”

This is partially correct. Methadone covers all the opioid receptors in the brain. The more you take: The more the effect it has. With Buvidal , the medication does not produce the same intense effects. Once a certain amount is taken, taking more will have little effect. This doesn’t mean, however that you cannot overdose if you took copious quantities. As such it is considered safer for those with a moderate opioid habit but less useful for those who are using very large amounts of heroin/opioids.

Taking Buprenorphine on holiday/business trips

Methadone is a liquid. While it is sometimes possible to get a prescription for Methadone tablets when travelling overseas, these are extremely difficult for pharmacies to source and stock. You can take Methadone on a plane but with Buvidal, once you have had your injection, there is nothing else to do! There is a monthly version so it can be possible to be away for 28 days. As it takes days to ware off after 28 days you don’t have to have another one bang on day 29.

Which works better: Methadone or Buvidal?

Both Methadone and Buvidal can be very effective. One thing to note is the percentage of people who complete treatment using either medication. A 2014 study in America found that far more people commit to a treatment plan using Methadone than those who use Buprenorphine. However, scientifically, both are equally as effective. The study found that:

• A quarter of those using Buprenorphine stopped treatment within a month. Only 8% of Methadone patients stopped within the same period.
• Over seven in ten patients completed a treatment programme with Methadone where as it was only four in seven with Buprenorphine
• Half of those using Buprenorphine quit treatment within six months.

Buvidal Vs Methadone: Key Differences

Buvidal vs. Methadone in Pregnancy

Pregnant women are not allowed to participate in drug trials for obvious reasons. Thus, the effects of medications on the fetus is not studied when medications are developed. What is known is that stopping opioids while pregnant can be dangerous to the unborn child. The uterus can contract leading to a spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) as well as premature birth. Methadone has, for decades, been used by pregnant women. To date there is no evidence that Methadone causes birth defects. Some babies may experience withdrawals when born but this is easily treated.

Methadone can be used when breastfeeding. While there is a small amount of methadone in breastmilk, it will not affect the baby. Buprenorphine can also be used by pregnant women. The only caveat being that it is recommended not to switch from Methadone to Buprenorphine while pregnant. This is because you have to be in withdrawal before stating Buprenorphine which puts the woman at risk of craving and using opioids.

The Role of Methadone and Buvidal in OST

Every research paper on the subject always demonstrates how these medications can provide a lifeline to abstinence when combined with therapy. They are not standalone treatments. Simply drinking Methadone or dissolving Buprenorphine is not going to cure your addiction. Residential rehab, combined with OST is the most effective road to meaningful recovery.

Here at Find Me a Rehab we have experienced addictions clinicians who have many decades experience prescribing both methadone and buprenorphine. If you, a loved one, friend, relative or employee need a Free Rehab Referral Service call us. We provide Free Clinician Drug Advice.

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