Suboxone Uses

Suboxone is used in the management of addiction to opiates including heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine and fentanyl. It was approved in October 2002 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is a high-dose, sublingual (dissolves under the tongue) form of buprenorphine.

Suboxone is four parts buprenorphine and one part naloxone, an opioid antagonist that deters abuse of tablets by crushing, dissolving and intravenous injection. It is marketed in strengths of 2 mg and 8 mg and comes in an orange color and flavor. Buprenorphine is said to be 25 to 40 times as potent as morphine, and works by attaching to receptors in the brain and nervous system.

Suboxone SL Uses

This medication contains 2 medicines: buprenorphine and naloxone. It is used to treat narcotic (opioid) dependence/addiction. Buprenorphine belongs to a class of drugs called mixed narcotic agonist-antagonists. Buprenorphine helps prevent withdrawal symptoms caused by stopping other opiate-type narcotics.

Naloxone is a narcotic antagonist that blocks the effect of narcotics and can cause severe narcotic withdrawal when injected. It has little effect when taken by mouth or dissolved under the tongue. It is combined with buprenorphine to prevent abuse and misuse (injection) of this medication. This combination medication is used as part of a complete treatment program for drug abuse (such as compliance monitoring, counseling, behavioral contract, lifestyle changes).

How to use Suboxone SL

Use this medication during your treatment maintenance period as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Place the medication under your tongue for 5 to 10 minutes and let it dissolve completely. If you are prescribed more than one tablet each day, you may place all of the tablets under your tongue at once or place two tablets at a time under your tongue. Do not swallow or chew this medication. It will not work as well.

Buprenorphine alone is usually used for the first 2 days after you have stopped all other narcotics. It is usually given in your doctor's office. Your doctor will then switch you to this combination buprenorphine/naloxone medication for maintenance treatment. The combination with naloxone works the same way as buprenorphine alone to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose, take the medication more frequently, or take it for a longer time than prescribed. Properly stop the medication when so directed.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day.

Buprenorphine/naloxone may cause withdrawal symptoms especially if you use it soon after using narcotics such as heroin, morphine, or methadone. Follow your doctor's instructions for your treatment plan.

This medication may cause withdrawal reactions if it has been used regularly for a long time or in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms (such as restlessness, watering eyes, runny nose, nausea, sweating, muscle aches) may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.

Do not inject ("shoot up") buprenorphine/naloxone. Injecting it is dangerous, and will likely cause severe withdrawal symptoms (see Side Effects section) due to the naloxone in this medication, especially if you have been using narcotics such as heroin, morphine or methadone. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details