Suboxone is a drug used to control opiate addiction. It is a combination of two powerful drugs: Buprenorphine and Naloxone.
The mixture of these drugs serves as a safe treatment that ushered many drug addicts on the road to recovery.
Buprenorphine has the effects of making the user comfortable in using opiates because it is an opiate in itself. Naloxone, on the other hand, functions as an opiate blocker by blocking the effects of opiates like methadone, heroin or morphine. If Suboxone is mixed with any opiate, severe withdrawal symptoms may occur. It is highly important to use the drug as prescribed by the doctor and serious side effects must be immediately reported for possible dosage adjustment or change of prescription.
Generic Name: Buprenorphine and Naloxone
How is the drug administered?
This 2 mg or 8 mg sublingual tablet is taken by melting the drug under the tongue. Suboxone tablets must never be chewed or swallowed. Intravenous injection of Suboxone in combination with tranquilizer is strictly prohibited because it can cause death. Injection is also harmful because it may result to dreadful withdrawal symptoms.
Effects of Suboxone consumption
Buprenorphine is partially an opiod agonist that causes lesser withdrawal symptoms from opiods compared to methadone, heroin, codeine and other full opiod agonists.
Sobuxone suppresses the symptoms of opiod withdrawal, decreases drug cravings and with proper medical supervision, it can free an opiod user from drug addiction.
Suboxone should not be taken with alcohol or anti-depressants, muscle relaxants, antihistamines and other drugs that may cause dizziness because it may dangerously increase the effects of these substances.
Impact on the mind/body and health risks
The following are the tolerable and non-life-threatening side effects of Suboxone:
- Constipation
- Sweating
- Sleeping difficulty
- Migraine
- Body pain
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
Serious allergic reactions that need immediate medical attention:
- Swelling of the throat and mouth
- Hives, rashes, severe itching
- Asthmatic spasms
- Inflammation of the skin
- Anaphylactic shock
Suboxone Abuse
Suboxone is an addictive drug. Once a user stops taking the medicine abruptly, withdrawal symptoms may occur. Since this drug is not intended for short-term use it is highly advisable to use it with the doctor’s supervision.
Common Suboxone treatment options
To avoid or lessen the withdrawal symptoms of Suboxone, the physician slowly reduces the dosage instead of stopping it abruptly. Prompt medical intervention is also required to address serious allergic reactions to the drugs.
Suboxone withdrawal/ detox symptoms
Suboxone withdrawal occurs when you shoot or snort the drug or you take it sublingually although you are still dependent on opiate or high on it. Abruptly stopping drug intake will also propel withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, it is highly recommended to undergo a 30-week tapering off period to lessen the agony of withdrawal.
Symptoms of withdrawal can include cold or flu symptoms, anxiety, insomnia, irritability and leg restlessness. Other physical reactions are pain, diarrhea and nausea. Sweating and vomiting are likewise noted.
The symptoms of withdrawal vary. Nevertheless, they are less serious than withdrawal from other opiates. The symptoms reach its peak within 48 hours and slowly decrease in less than a week. Some users complain of persistent body pain for more than two weeks after they stopped Suboxone intake.