Suboxone

(soo-BOX-ohn)

Suboxone®️ is a combination medication containing buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, and naloxone, an opioid antagonist. It is used as a medication for addiction treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD). Buprenorphine helps to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, while naloxone deters misuse by precipitating withdrawal if the medication is injected.

Historical context

The combination of buprenorphine and naloxone was approved by the FDA in 2002 as a safer alternative to buprenorphine alone for the treatment of OUD. The addition of naloxone reduces the potential for abuse by discouraging intravenous use.

Medical formulations

Suboxone®️ is available as sublingual tablets and films.

How long does Suboxone stay in your system?

Suboxone is a combination medication containing buprenorphine and naloxone. The half-life of buprenorphine in Suboxone is approximately 24 to 42 hours, while the half-life of naloxone is approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. It takes roughly 120 to 210 hours for buprenorphine and 5 to 7.5 hours for naloxone to be completely eliminated from the body.

Street names

Subs, Boxes, Strips

Appearance

Suboxone®️ sublingual tablets are hexagonal, orange, and have the dosage imprinted on one side. The sublingual films are rectangular, orange, and come in individual foil pouches.

Common pills

• Suboxone®️ sublingual film: The film is rectangular, orange, and comes in individual foil pouches.
• Suboxone®️ sublingual tablet (2 mg buprenorphine/0.5 mg naloxone): The tablet is hexagonal, orange, and has an "N2" imprint on one side.
• Suboxone®️ sublingual tablet (8 mg buprenorphine/2 mg naloxone): The tablet is hexagonal, orange, and has an "N8" imprint on one side.