San Diego Suboxone Clinic

Suboxone can help alleviate symptoms of opioid dependence, including:

• Physical withdrawal symptoms
• Mental dependency and cravings
• Potential for future opioid misuse
• Overdose (in case of relapse)

Suboxone is available in four different strengths for varying levels of opioid dependence:

• 12 mg buprenorphine & 3 mg naloxone
• 8 mg buprenorphine & 2 mg naloxone
• 4 mg buprenorphine & 1 mg naloxone
• 2 mg buprenorphine & 0.5 mg naloxone

 

Suboxone is 4 parts buprenorphine and 1 part naloxone. Together they make for a highly effective medicine in treating opioid use disorders.

While buprenorphine itself can sometimes be useful for treating OUD, it’s heightened euphoric properties are potentially habit-forming. Buprenorphine is most commonly used as a temporary treatment in which dosage is tapered down over time — helping the opioid-dependent slowly wean themselves out of addiction.

The use of naloxone in Suboxone also lowers the euphoric effects of buprenorphine and lowers the potential for opioid misuse.

To better understand how they work together, you may want to know how they work independently.

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. Opioids like heroin or codeine are full opioid agonists. Buprenorphine can provide similar euphoric feelings, though to a much lesser extent. Over time, these properties lower the need for the highly euphoric opioid high.

Because of the way buprenorphine strongly binds to opioid receptors, it can displace other opioids such as heroin or fentanyl. And, its partial agonistic activity greatly lowers the risk of opioid-induced respiratory depression.

Stress-related drug-seeking behaviors may also be reduced through its anti-dynorphin property (a chemical in the brain responsible for anxiety, stress, and too often relapse).

Naloxone

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist. It attaches to opioid receptors and strips them of other opioids with lower binding affinities (i.e. heroin, morphine, fentanyl etc.).

This opioid-blocking property of Naloxone makes it extremely useful in the case of opioid overdoses. And thanks to California law AB 1535, Californians can purchase naloxone over-the-counter at any participating pharmacy.

Due to its ability to block opioid effects, naloxone can cause users to go into precipitated (immediate) withdrawals. As a result of the buprenorphine in Suboxone, precipitated withdrawals are much less likely.

It is not a treatment for opioid use disorder, but when combined with buprenorphine, its properties can be extremely helpful.

For individuals struggling with opioid addiction, medication-assisted treatment is a highly effective method for helping them recover.

A major component of MAT programs is behavioral therapy and social support interventions designed to ensure that the patient maintains sobriety by acquiring healthy habits.

Positive feedback from MAT involving Suboxone includes:

• Enhances an individual’s likelihood of maintaining employment
• Enhances and promotes high retention rates
• Enhances the chances of healthy pregnancies in female opioid users
• Reduces the risk of relapse and overdose

The use of MAT programs can contribute to the successful treatment of opioid addiction.