Buprenorphine (Suboxone)
Buprenorphine – also known as Suboxone – is one of the most recently available medications to treat opiate addiction. It is available through prescription and can be dispensed through a doctor’s office. Buprenorphie carries less risk of addiction, compared to methadone, and the withdrawal symptoms are not as severe as those produced by methadone.
Buprenorphine is different from methadone in that it is a partial opioid agonist (methadone is a full opioid agonist). A full-agonist fits neatly into an opioid receptor in the brain. Buprenorphine also fits into the receptor, but is a slightly different shape, so it blocks other opioids from fitting in the same space. And receptor sites have a “preference” for buprenorphine, so that when the buprenorphine is present along with other opioids, it expels or blocks the other opioids from attaching. It has a limited opioid effect, enough to stop withdrawal, but not enough to cause intense euphoria.
Suboxone is a combination of buprenophine and naloxone. The naloxone is present specifically to guard against abuse and intravenous use. When suboxone is taken “sublingually” (under the tongue), as directed, the naloxone is insignificant. But if the suboxone is injected, the naloxone will make it so the person immediately experiences withdrawal symptoms.
At this point, buprenorphine is not included on standard drug screen panels. It will not cause a positive result on tests for other opiates. While there are tests that will specifically detect buprenorphine, they need to be purchased separately. (Since there are recent reports of Suboxone misuse, it is a good idea for treatment programs to periodically test for this medication when doing screenings.)
There is very little information available at this point on the effects of buprenorphine or suboxone on pregnant women, or the outcomes for their children.
To learn more about buprenorphine and suboxone, go to the National Alliance of Adovcates for Buprenorphine Treatment. (www.naabt.org).
