Subutex V Suboxone: Understanding the Key Differences

Subutex V Suboxone: Understanding the key differences. Sounds complicated. Actually, no, it is quite easy to explain and understand. Let our experienced addictions clinicians guide you through.

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What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a medication, available only on prescription from an addictions clinicians, that is specifically designed to treat opioid dependency. It forms part of a group of medications prescribed for Opioid Substitution Treatment: OST.

As a combination of two medications: Subutex and Naloxone, Suboxone does two things at one. Subutex (the branded name for Buprenorphine) acts as a opioid agonist. This means that it rests on the same brain receptors as Heroin and other opioids do and opens up chemical channels.

This provides the relief from pain you would feel if taking the medication for pain (which it was originally designed for) and also a feeling of relief and wellbeing: especially so when used for OST. The medication Naltrexone is combined to make Suboxone with Subutex.

Naltrexone is what is known as an agonist: Instead of opening chemical channels on brain receptors: It closes them. This means that it will prevent opioids from working.

The medication is taken by dissolving a tablet under the tongue which can take a few minutes. Typically taken once a day it can be used for maintenance, meaning

Suboxone V Subutex Key Differences

What is Subutex?

Subutex (A brand name for Buprenorphine) does not contain Naloxone. It sits on opioid receptors in the brain and will bind, very strongly, to some of the receptors on opioid channels. While it binds to the same receptors as other opioids it is considered safer because it doesn’t activate all of them.

While Heroin, for example, will bind very strongly to opioid receptors meaning large doses will cause an overdose, Subutex has what is known as a ceiling effect. In essence, it will block against itself meaning an overdose of Subutex can, usually, be straightforward to manage.

Buprenorphine (Subutex) is an opioid and will reduce the withdrawal symptoms of opioid withdrawal. It won’t give you the same feelings of an intense high that Heroin or Methadone would.

Suboxone V Subutex Key Differences

Key Differences between Suboxone and Subutex

Both Suboxone and Subutex both contain Buprenorphine but Suboxone also contains Naloxone. Thus there are some key differences between the two.

Active Ingredients

Suboxone, which has both Buprenorphine (Subutex) and Naloxone works to provide opioid substitution therapy as well as a opioid blocker: Naloxone. It is taken by mouth in a slowly dissolving tablet that goes under the tongue. If misused and injected (by crushing it) there is the potential for the medication to knock off opioids sitting on receptors which will push people into withdrawal.

Subutex is more likely to be abused by people injecting it because it won’t push you into withdrawal as there is no Naloxone.

Mechanism of Action

As Suboxone contains Buprenorphine withdrawal symptoms and cravings will reduce. The receptors on the opioid channels will take a liking to the presence of Suboxone and prioritise it over other opioids. This means that if you took Suboxone with Heroin or another opioid, the Suboxone would bind to the receptors and the other drugs would not. This would stop you getting high.

Subutex, because it contains Buprenorphine works in entirely the same way but doesn’t have Naloxone so won’t stop other opioids being blocked.

Suboxone V Subutex Key Differences

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Benefits

Suboxone

• Suboxone has an excellent reputation for treating people for opioid addiction. It will address both the physical aspects, as well as the psychological ones.
• A major benefit is that it will significantly reduce withdrawals and cravings
• Research shows that treatment outcomes are better when using Naloxone and Buprenorphine together.
• Evidence clearly indicates that it is a very safe medication that has a low risk of side effects.

Subutex

• As Subutex has Buprenorphine in it is very effective in treating opioid addiction.
• There are studies to show that Subutex will significantly reduce cravings , as well as signs of withdrawal.
• There is a low risk of overdose and side effects.
• Because it reduces withdrawal symptoms, those in recovery from opioid dependency can focus on therapy without the distraction of cravings and withdrawal.

Impact on Treatment Effectiveness and Patient Experience

Pregnancy

Both medications, Suboxone and Subutex are licenced for use by pregnant women. It was thought the the Naloxone in Suboxone might harm the fetus but the current evidence is that it is safer for women to continue on the medication, if pregnant, rather than stopping which would place the person at risk of relapse.

Suboxone V Subutex Key Differences

Choosing between Suboxone and Subutex

A prescribing decision is a collaboration between you and your addictions clinician. Ask questions, take your time. There are differences between the two and the more you know, the more confident you will feel with the decision reached.

Choosing the Right Medication

As with all prescribed medications, your addictions clinician will need to have a comprehensive medical history from you in order to draw up a collaborative treatment plan. Any past experiences with Suboxone and Subutex will form part of that discussion.

Importance of Consulting with an Addictions Clinician

Suboxone and Subutex are not available from a GP. Very rarely, Subutex is used for pain management in the community but this would have been initiated by a specialist. Due to commissioning protocols, your GP can not prescribed these medications for addiction.

While your GP will be aware of these medications, it is unlikely they will have an in depth knowledge of their use unless they have addictions experience. Your GP can not provide these medications for you to take at home. Trying to come off opioids at home using these medications is really not a good idea.

If you are in a recovery network, you may have spoken to others who are on either of these two medications. Always remember that your medical history may preclude a prescription for either of these two medications. Client choice is important but the overall decision to prescribe lies with the clinician.

Suboxone V Subutex Key Differences

How can Find Me a Rehab help?

Here at Find Me a Rehab we have experienced addictions clinicians who have treated many hundreds of people with Subutex and Suboxone, among other treatments. They would be pleased to give you advice, for free. If you want advice on a treatment plan please call.

There advice is free, impartial and confidential. Among them they have worked in the majority of the rehab centres across the UK as well as statutory services, prisons and private hospitals that provide addictions services.

If you need Heroin Addiction Help call and get Free Clinician Drug Advice on all aspects of Treatment For Heroin Addiction

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