Suboxone

(soo-BOX-ohn)

Suboxone® is a medication that can be used to help treat opioid use disorder (OUD) (important safety information). It helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings and is often used in medications for assisted treatment (MAT) programs, which are considered the gold standard of care for OUD.

Historical context

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Suboxone for OUD treatment on October 8, 2002¹. This landmark moment resulted from decades of research and development. The U.S. government has responded to the nation’s opioid epidemic by increasing access to Suboxone. For example, some state Medicaid programs now cover Suboxone-based treatments.

How it works

Suboxone is a combination medication that consists of two key components: buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, meaning it binds to the same receptors in the brain as an opioid—but with a more limited effect, creating a lower risk of overdose. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist and competes for the same receptors in the brain without activating them, blocking the effects of opioids.

Why it’s used

Suboxone can be used as part of a MAT program to help patients with OUD. MAT programs address both the physical and mental components of addiction, combining the use of a medication like Suboxone with mental health support. Over time, as withdrawal symptoms and cravings are controlled, the Suboxone dosage may be reduced. Some people take Suboxone as part of a MAT program for six months to a year or more.

How to access Suboxone

Suboxone is a Schedule 3 controlled substance that requires a prescription. It can be prescribed by your healthcare provider. It's also possible to get referrals to treatment centers through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline, a free, confidential service available 24/7 in English and Spanish². There are also online options, like Ophelia.

In person vs. online

Online treatment programs allow patients to access MAT regardless of where they're located. Ophelia provides service in a growing number of states; when a patient is eligible for medication, our clinician calls a prescription into a local pharmacy and sets up online appointments to ensure you get the needed support. Such programs help address geographic barriers to OUD treatment, which has historically been more difficult to access in rural areas. Online treatments are also less disruptive to everyday life, allowing people to continue work, school, and child or elder care.

How long does Suboxone stay in your system?

It can take up to eight days until Suboxone is no longer detectable in a person's system. However, the metabolites created when the body metabolizes the drug can be detected in the body for even longer. For example, these may be identified in urine for up to two weeks and in hair for up to three months³.

Common forms & street names

Medical formulations

Suboxone is available as a sublingual tablet or film (sublingual means it's taken under the tongue). The dosage can be adjusted according to the patient's needs.

Common pills

Suboxone is the brand name of the combination medication containing buprenorphine and naloxone. There are also FDA-approved generic versions of the medication that appear under other names⁴.

Street names

Suboxone has various street names, including Subs, Bupe, and Oranges, as well as variations of these names, like Subbies and Orange Guys⁵.

Learn more about Suboxone

Related glossary terms

• Boxes: A street name for Suboxone based on a shortened form of its full name.
• Buprenorphine: A partial opioid agonist used in opioid addiction treatment that activates the same receptors as other opioids but with less intensity.
• Naloxone: An opioid antagonist used to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
• Strips: A street name for Suboxone based on a common form of the medication.
• Subs: A common street name for Suboxone based on a shortened form of its full name.

Sources

1. Heidbreder, C., Fudala P., and Greenwald, M. (10 January 10). History of the Discovery, Development, and FDA-approval of Buprenorphine Medications for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder. Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports. Retrieved May 13, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10040330/
2. SAMHSA’s National Helpline. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved May 13, 2025, from https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline
3. (5 May 2025). How Long Does Suboxone Stay in Your System? American Addiction Centers. Retrieved May 13, 2025, from https://americanaddictioncenters.org/suboxone/how-long-in-system
4. Felberbaum, M. (14 June 2018). FDA Approves First Generic Versions of Suboxone Sublingual Film, Which May Increase Access to Treatment for Opioid Dependence. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved May 13, 2025, from https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-generic-versions-suboxone-sublingual-film-which-may-increase-access-treatment‍
5. (22 February 2011). Drug Alert Watch: Misuse of Buprenorphine-Related Products. U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved May 13, 2025, from https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs44/44054/sw0009p.pdf