Suboxone Myths Debunked

There are a number of myths floating around online and in the streets about the efficacy and function of Suboxone. We'll address some of these myths here, dispel a few rumors and hopefully make Suboxone treatment a little less mysterious.

First of all, Suboxone's main ingredient is buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist. On October 7, 2002, the DEA classified the drug as Schedule III, and the next day, the FDA approved both Suboxone and Subutex (the pure form of buprenorphine) as an outpatient treatment for opiate addiction. This means that you don't have to take the drug under supervision like methadone.

Suboxone Myth 1: Suboxone and Subutex are Basically the Same Thing

Nope. Subutex is nothing but buprenorphine hydrochloride. There are no other ingredients in the drug. Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine hydrochloride and naloxone hydrochloride dihydrate at a ratio of 4:1. Suboxone also has a sweetener in it called Acesulfame K because you take the drug by letting it dissolve under your tongue. In an effort to make it taste better, it also has lemon and lime flavoring.

Suboxone Myth #2: Suboxone is a Wonder Drug

No, it's not a wonder drug. It is, however, the latest in opiate addiction treatment and FDA-approved for nothing but opiate addiction treatment. It has been proven to work well for those who need a short-term medical detox as well as those who require a more long-term maintenance treatment. Though it is a treatment, it, too, is an opiate-albeit a partial agonist opiate as opposed to a full agonist opiate-and as such is addictive as well. For some Suboxone will seem like a wonder drug. For others, another course of treatment may be more appropriate.

Suboxone Myth #3: Suboxone Produces a Euphoric High

Again, no. The buprenorphine in Suboxone has a high affinity for the opiate receptors in the brain, more so than many other opiates despite the fact that it's a partial agonist, but its binding affinity does nothing to produce a rush or a high like full agonist would.

In fact, if you take Suboxone too quickly after a dose of a full opioid like heroin, codeine, morphine, methadone, et cetera, you will find yourself experiencing extreme withdrawal symptoms. Even if you take far more than prescribed, your experience will not be to "get high" but opiate detox. It's an interesting twist in the pharmacology of the drug, but a very serious wrong that can't easily be righted.

Suboxone Myth #4: Suboxone Has No Side Effects

Wrong. You may or may not experience Suboxone side effects, and if you do, it's impossible to tell to what extreme or for how long, though your dose can be adjusted to suit you. Suboxone side effects can include:

Fatigue and insomnia
Nausea and vomiting
Urinary retention and constipation
Sweating
Headache
"Pinned" pupils

Suboxone Myth #5: Suboxone Has No Withdrawal Symptoms

No. Suboxone is an opiate and as such, you will experience withdrawal symptoms should you stop taking the drug. It will, however, take as long as a few days for you to feel these symptoms and they will be less severe than detox off of a full opiate. Your cold turkey detox experience off of Suboxone can last anywhere from two weeks to two months depending upon your dose and length of addiction.

Suboxone Detox At Meditox

At Meditox, we can answer any questions or concerns you have about the nature of Suboxone and the details of Suboxone treatment. Contact us today for more information.

If you feel that Meditox might be the right solution for you or your loved one, please call us for a toll-free and private consultation:

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“Today is week #5! I have my life back, this morning my husband told me he hadn't seen me like this in three years! My daughter told me "your back Mom"! My Fybromyalgia is down to 2 to 3 percent of what it was, I am fully able to live with the Joy and Love and Laughter which has always been my way.”

Mother, Real Estate Agent, 49
August 11, 2006

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