Subutex vs Suboxone: What's the difference between them?

Drugs.com

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Both Subutex and Suboxone contain buprenorphine, a medication that can help people beat opioid addiction by minimizing withdrawal symptoms and easing cravings. Both Subutex and Suboxone are taken once a day and can be either given by a healthcare professional or taken home for at-home use.

But there are differences between them, such as:

  • Subutex contains only buprenorphine but Suboxone contains naloxone in addition to buprenorphine (naloxone helps protect people from an inadvertent opioid overdose)
  • Subutex is a sublingual tablet and Suboxone is a film that you put under your tongue
  • Subutex was approved in 1981 and Suboxone has been available since 2002.
  • Both Subutex and Suboxone can be initiated early by a doctor as part of an opioid treatment program. The brand name Subutex has been discontinued in the U.S. but it is available as generic buprenorphine sublingual tablets.

    • For more information see our slideshow Opioid Use Disorder: These Treatments Are Available, Now.

    Related medical questions

    Disclaimer

    Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

    The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

    Popular Keywords