What is Suboxone?

 

Suboxone is a trade name for the high-dose tablets of Buprenorphine, a partially -synthetic opiod used in the medical management of opiod dependence. In 2002, the FDA permitted the use of this drug for therapeutic purpose. It was proven as an effective opiod substitute for people addicted to narcotics like Oxycontin, morphine and codeine. Its active ingredients consist of naloxone and buprenorphine. This sublingual tablet is available only upon doctor's prescription. In 2010, the most up-to-date "film" form of this tablet was approved and has made a great impression to the users for its better taste and faster melting time compared to the old sublingual tablet.

 

How it works

 

The buprenorphine ingredient prevents the painful symptoms of withdrawal from happening if a person abruptly stops taking narcotics. The brain receptors accept this drug as a substitute for opiate. Instead of initiating withdrawals because of sudden cessation of drug use, the brain receptors get by with it. Suboxone also prevents the brain from experiencing the euphoria that opiates usually produce. Other opiods cannot beat the binding effect of Buprenorphine on the CNS receptors. This mechanism makes it difficult for the opiates to take effect when buprenorphine is inside the body.

Another chemical component of Suboxone is Naloxone. This antagonist of opiod receptors serves as a blocker, preventing the narcotics like heroin, morphine, and codeine to take effect. The euphoric effects Suboxone is lesser compared to other opiods. This results to the easy weaning- off period for its users.

 

If a person is presently dependent on opiates, the buprenorphine component of this drug will induce the withdrawal symptoms. Consequently, it will be better for an individual to experience the minimal or full withdrawal symptoms before starting with Suboxone.

Suboxone therapy is implemented best in an inpatient treatment center. It is included in the detoxification and treatment plan where the patient undergoes a clinically-induced opiod withdrawal phase. This medication is usually administered when the patient's condition is already stabilized on the right dosage. There is constant close monitoring and supervision for possible side effects.

 

Special considerations

 

Avoid driving and operating complicated machineries or doing dangerous task since Suboxone may cause side effects including:

 

• Impaired thinking

• Dizziness

• Drowsiness,

• Respiratory depression

• Vomiting

 

Suboxone should never be taken with CNS depressants like benzodiazepines and alcoholic beverages because it can lead to hypoventilation or a fatal condition where a person's ventilation is inadequate. This occurs when the respiratory rate is below 12 per minute. Since respiratory depression can lead to death immediate medical attention should be sought when this occurs.

 

Common adverse effects

 

• Body pain

• Constipation

• Decreased libido

• Difficulty in ejaculation for males

• Drowsiness

• Dry mouth

• Headache

• Insomnia

• Itchiness

• Migraine

• Miosis

• Nausea

• Orthostatic hypotension

• Perspiration

• Rare cases of CNS effects

• Sleeping difficulty

• Stomach pain

• Sweating

• Urinary retention

• Vomiting

Suboxone may cause signs of withdrawal to an unborn child so it is advisable to abstain from using it when one is pregnant. However, FDA placed it under category C (meaning, its harmful effects to an unborn child are still unknown) so it is still advisable to talk to your doctor about its use.

Contact an ambulance if any of the following signs of severe allergic reactions to the drugs occur:

• Anaphylactic shock

• Asthmatic spasm

• Hives

• Inflammation of the throat and mouth

• Rashes

• Redness of the skin

• Severe itching

It is highly recommended to take this drug sublingually in order to prevent possible withdrawal symptoms, hepatitis with jaundice, and hepatic necrosis that may arise if Suboxone is administered through injection or if the tablet is crushed.

 

Signs of Suboxone withdrawal:

• Anxiety

• Cold or flu-like symptoms

• Diarrhea

• Insomnia

• Irritability

• Leg restlessness

• Nausea

• Pain

• Sweating

• Vomiting