Buprenorphine-based drugs to treat opioid addiction, Schedule III drugs, Suboxone and Subutex claimed a lower potential for abuse. So what’s the difference between Suboxone and Subutex? The chemical makeup is what makes the difference. They replaced Methadone in most cases to treat opioid addictions.
Buprenorphine is an FDA-approved medication designated to treat opioid addiction. So what’s the difference between Suboxone and Subutex? Suboxone contains another substance, naloxone, with buprenorphine.
Withdrawal Symptoms During Opioid Detox
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is one method used during withdrawal from opioids. The symptoms during detox are painful and physically and mentally draining. Using medications can alleviate the severity of the symptoms and reduce the chance of leaving detox for relapse. What’s the difference between Suboxone and Subutex in detox? Both can be effective if administered properly.
The withdrawal symptoms that could occur during opioid detox include any combination of the following issues:
- Anxiety, hallucinations, excessive sweating
- Body aches and fever
- Abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and vomiting
- Dilated pupils
- Goosebumps or feeling chilled
- Elevated blood pressure
- Insomnia and feeling sleepy and yawning
- Rapid respirations and quickened heartbeat
- Runny nose and watery eyes
- Seizures, shaking, and restless feelings
Withdrawal symptoms can begin to present within twelve hours of the last taken dose of opioids. As will all substance use disorders, the symptoms vary in intensity depending on the drug used, the length of the addiction, and the amount used. The patient’s physical health also affects the discomfort produced during withdrawal.
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The Opioid Withdrawal Timeline
Understanding the timeline for withdrawal from opioids is crucial in understanding the treatment plan. Detox is grueling for most people. However, preparation can be helpful in some instances. Determining the detox plan includes deciding upon medication to soften the discomfort. What’s the difference between Suboxone and Subutex for detox? It is essential to decide on any previous adverse reaction or allergy to Naloxone. Buprenorphine or Subutex can be dispersed if this is an issue.
- Early Withdrawal: Stage one of detox begins six to twelve hours after the last use of opioids. Manageable but uncomfortable, the early symptoms start with anxiety, watery eyes, nausea, sweating, aches, fever, runny nose, insomnia, and hot and cold flashes. Mood swings and focus difficulties occur after the physical symptoms begin.
- Peak Withdrawal: Stage two of detox sets in thirty-six to forty-eight hours after the last dose. The most physically and mentally painful period of detox ensues with a high risk of relapsing back to drug use. A mind-body battle ensues with the onset of depression, diarrhea, intense drug cravings, stomach cramps, and vomiting.
- Late Withdrawal: Stage three of detox is when the withdrawal symptoms begin to subside in intensity and occurrence.
It is common to experience withdrawal symptoms for seven days, but some symptoms linger for an extended period. Therefore, starting treatment therapy immediately after completing the detox is crucial. Further withdrawal from medication-assisted treatment during detox is another consideration.
What’s the Difference Between Suboxone and Subutex?
Suboxone is an opioid that treats opioid addiction. Stabilizing withdrawal symptoms during detox is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Produced in a dissolvable film, users place it beneath the tongue or on the cheek. The FDA approved generic buprenorphine and naloxone in 2018. But what’s the difference between Suboxone and Subutex?
Subutex, no longer produced in the US, is primarily buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is a pain medication that treats opioid use disorder during detox and treatment. Two groups of people mainly used Subutex. Pregnant women and those allergic to naloxone have been prescribed this drug. However, researchers have recently found that Naloxone is just as safe for pregnant women.
What’s the difference between Suboxone and Subutex? Subutex, formulated first, is a partial opioid agonist. A partial opioid agonist means it latches onto the same opioid receptors but does not have the same strong response. As a result, it prevents extreme withdrawal symptoms during detox and reduces the severe cravings for opioids.
On the other hand, Suboxone was designed to reduce the possibility of abuse. Containing naloxone with buprenorphine is an opioid antagonist which blocks the effects of opioids at the receptor site. Therefore, Subutex is no longer produced because there was a tendency to abuse it through injection like heroin. So, if there are any differences, professionals could state that Suboxone is less likely to be misused.
Which is Better? Comparing Subutex to Suboxone
What’s the difference between Suboxone and Subutex in effectiveness for treating opioid withdrawal? Both medications effectively treat withdrawal symptoms for the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms but also have side effects. Medically monitored detox using these drugs might present with the following additional side effects:
- Nausea and constipation
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Headaches
It is essential to remember when asking what’s the difference between Suboxone and Subutex that both, appropriately used under supervision, are effective. Addiction treatment does not consist of medication-assisted detox alone. Individual and group therapy must be applied to find the reasons behind the addiction. Learning new positive coping mechanisms is crucial to prevent relapse.
Find Help with Medication-Assisted Detox from Opioids in Knoxville, TN
If you are seeking treatment in Knoxville, Tennessee, for a substance use disorder involving opioids, contact us. Tennessee Valley Recovery can offer assistance with your medication-assisted detox. Our experienced professional staff can inform you and detail the process for your individualized experience. Allow us to answer your questions and assess your addiction. Contact us to begin the process.