Suboxone vs methadone: What’s the difference?
Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) and methadone are different medicines but are both used to help people fight opioid addiction (also called opioid use disorder or OUD). Your first treatment after a medically-supervised opioid withdrawal (detox) is often started with either Suboxone or methadone.
People with opioid use disorder can have harmful or even fatal effects from using narcotics, especially if they have slowed down or stopped opioid use, and then start using opioids again.
Suboxone
Suboxone is a brand name medicine that contains buprenorphine and naloxone. It comes as a sublingual/buccal oral film (placed under the tongue or between the cheeks and gum) and is given as a single daily dose. It is also available as a generic option.
Suboxone is approved for the first phase of opiate withdrawal (induction or detox) and well as the longer-term maintenance phase. Suboxone eases drug cravings and helps to prevent unpleasant symptoms (withdrawal) after you stop using narcotics.
Suboxone is not FDA-approved for the treatment of pain, but might be prescribed "off-label" by some doctors for certain patients. “Off-label" use of a drug refers to when a doctor prescribes a medicine for a different purpose than those formally approved by the FDA and found in the package labeling.
Suboxone is classified as a schedule III medication by the DEA because it contains buprenorphine, an opiate, and is considered a drug that can be abused. Since it is not a full opioid agonist, Suboxone tends to cause less fatigue and it may be it easier to slowly discontinue this medicine.
Zubsolv
Buprenorphine and naloxone also comes as a sublingual tablet formulation called Zubsolv. It is also is used to treat opioid addiction.
Sublocade
Buprenorphine is also available (without naloxone) as a long-acting formulation (Sublocade injection) given once a month to ease drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Sublocade is used in adult patients already on a stable dose of transmucosal (absorbed via mucus membrane) buprenorphine for a minimum of 7 days.
Sublocade may reduce the burden of taking a daily medication for patients in recovery.
Methadone
Methadone (Dolophine, Methadose, Methadone Intensol) has been approved by the FDA since the 1940’s. It is often given as an oral solution and treatment may involve regularly going to a registered clinic for your dose. Methadone is classified as an opioid medication. It comes as a generic option.
Methadone is approved for the first phase of opiate withdrawal (induction or detox) and well as the longer-term maintenance phase. It is also approved for the treatment of pain.
Methadone is classified as a schedule II medication due to its high potential for abuse. It is a highly regulated drug.
Side effects and warnings with Suboxone and methadone
There are many side effects and warnings with Suboxone and methadone treatment that you should understand. Talk to your doctor to learn more about these risks.
This is not all the information you need to know about Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) or methadone for safe and effective use. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions with your doctor or other health care provider.
Related medical questions
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