What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is an opioid medication-assisted therapy (MAT) designed to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms and boost patients' chances of staying in treatment for the duration of their program.

Buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist that has less of an impact on the brain than full opioid agonists like heroin or methadone, and naloxone–an opioid antagonist–block these effects and reduce abuse potential.

It’s a medication-assisted treatment

Suboxone is an opioid use disorder medication-assisted treatment (MAT). It consists of two drugs, buprenorphine and naloxone.

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that binds with opioid receptors in both your brain and body, relieving withdrawal symptoms caused by opioid use and helping reduce cravings for stronger opiates like heroin. Naloxone prevents people from experiencing an opioid-like high while also keeping them from becoming addicted to Suboxone.

In addition to taking Suboxone regularly as prescribed by a doctor, it's essential that you join an extensive addiction treatment program with behavioral therapy and support groups. Successfully treating an OUD with Suboxone involves integrating it into an overall recovery plan and using it as part of other aspects of treatment – not as the sole focus.

The medication comes in either a strip or dissolvable sublingual film that should be placed beneath your tongue and held until completely dissolved. To ensure optimal absorption of this medication, be sure to drink water both before and after taking it.

It’s safe for pregnant women

Opioids during pregnancy can have negative consequences for both mother and baby, such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and other short- and long-term issues. It's best to avoid them altogether if possible.

However, medication-assisted treatment can be used to effectively treat pregnant women with opioid use disorder. Common treatments include methadone and buprenorphine products like Subutex or Suboxone.

Another safe medication for pregnant women is naloxone. This opioid antagonist binds tightly to opioid receptors, discouraging users from injecting the drug.

Naloxone also reduces the likelihood of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a common consequence of prenatal exposure to opioids.

Recent research revealed that women who used buprenorphine during their pregnancy experienced lower risks for complications, including neonatal abstinence syndrome, than those prescribed methadone. This finding may be beneficial when healthcare providers decide which treatment option to offer their pregnant patients.

It’s safe for breastfeeding

Suboxone is safe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as only very low levels of buprenorphine enter breast milk when a mother takes Suboxone.

Studies have indicated that less than 1% of a parent's daily dose of buprenorphine reaches their infant. Nonetheless, there remains the potential risk that some amount of this drug may enter the baby's system, potentially posing serious harm.

Before giving Suboxone to your child during or after pregnancy and breastfeeding, it is essential to consult your healthcare provider. They may suggest other treatment options or monitor your baby's health if you are worried about their wellbeing while on Suboxone.

Breastfed babies tend to be healthier and live longer than their non-breastfed counterparts, due to the stronger immunity they possess. This could provide them with an edge in combatting illnesses later in life.

It’s not a cure for addiction

If you are in recovery from addiction, it is essential to know that medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is only part of the solution. Suboxone typically serves as an adjunct to a more comprehensive addiction treatment plan which also incorporates behavioral counseling and other treatments.

Suboxone is an opioid-blocking drug combination consisting of buprenorphine and naloxone. This combination helps alleviate withdrawal symptoms and cravings, while preventing relapse by blocking opioid receptors in the brain.

This medication comes in pill or film strip form that's placed under the tongue and dissolves. It has become one of the most frequently prescribed drugs for drug addiction, offering addiction specialists a more efficient alternative to methadone.

Suboxone has a high rate of abuse and addiction, despite its success. Therefore, it's essential to be aware of the potential hazards and take necessary precautions.

A New Start, LLC

222 Phillip Stone Way, Central City, KY 42330

 (270) 754-3494

Suboxone is an opioid medication-assisted therapy (MAT) designed to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms and boost patients' chances of staying in treatment for the duration of their program. Buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist that has less of an impact on the brain than full opioid agonists like heroin or methadone, and naloxone–an opioid antagonist–block these effects…