Suboxone vs Subutex: Which OUD Option Is Safer and More Effective?
Some of us might believe that taking drugs in greater amounts will help us recover faster, but this is never the case. People often take high Opioid doses in the hope of faster relief. As a result, they develop Opioid Use Disorder, which harms the body. But, as every problem has a solution, likewise every disorder has its own medication for recovery. Suboxone and Subutex are the two drugs that are used for treating this disorder. These two drugs are made of similar ingredients and have a similar mechanism of action. But, in this blog, we will focus on Suboxone vs Subutex to understand deeply which drug to choose based on your condition.
Differentiating Suboxone and Subutex: Efficacy, Risks, & Alternatives
What is Suboxone?
Suboxone is given to individuals with opioid use disorder. The primary ingredients present in the drug are Buprenorphine and Naloxone, which help to calm your body and mind. Buprenorphine provides relief from pain without severe side effects, and Naloxone stops the individuals from getting addicted. Together, their combination makes Suboxone very effective for individuals addicted to Opioids.
Individuals taking Suboxone may experience side effects like:
- Back pain
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Difficulty with sleep
- Mouth numbness
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Tongue pain
- Tooth decay
- Cavities
- Oral infections
- Tooth loss
What is Subutex?
Subutex is one of the brand names for Buprenorphine used to treat addiction. This drug is also used in people with opioid use disorder. The presence of Buprenorphine reduces the level of pain by altering the pain signal between the brain and the body. This drug is placed in the category of Schedule III drugs, making it moderately responsible for dependency and addiction.
Individuals taking Subutex may face certain side effects, such as:
- Constipation
- Confusion
- Headaches
- Stomach pain
- Rashes
- Hives
- Difficult breathing
- Swelling of the face, hands, and body
- abnormal vision
- fatigue, weakness
What Is The Difference Between Suboxone and Subutex?
Although both drugs contain buprenorphine, they are not exactly similar to each other. Subutex only has Buprenophine as its ingredient, but Suboxone contains Naloxone along with Buprenophine. Subutex is given to patients at the initial stage of treatment and is not generally chosen for long-term treatment. Suboxone, on the other hand, is used to treat chronic pain in patients and is given to them for a long period of time.
Subutex vs Suboxone: Which is better?
Both Subutex and Suboxone have side effects of their own. So, none of these drugs can be considered the best and are given to the patients based on their conditions. Subutex is best recommended at the initial stage of the treatment, and Suboxone would be a better drug for treating heavily addicted individuals. In certain rare cases, where the individual is allergic to Naloxone, Suboxone is recommended to them. In terms of cost, Subutex is less expensive compared to Suboxone, which makes it easily affordable for individuals.
Which Is Better During Pregnancy: Suboxone or Subutex?
It is advised to stay away from drugs during pregnancy for the safety of the child. But in case a drug addict woman becomes pregnant, then the doctor would treat them according to their condition. Suboxone and Subutex are generally considered to be safe options to use to treat these women. If you were to choose one of the two drugs, then Suboxone would definitely be a better option to choose from. Some studies have shown that children born to mothers who used Suboxone do not show any side effects and are born healthy. But if the mother is addicted to a more potent drug like heroin, then Subutex will be more effective for faster recovery.
Withdrawal Symptoms of Suboxone vs Subutex
Since both drugs belong to the category of Schedule III drugs, they possess a risk of developing dependency in individuals who have prolonged use. But if you try to stop intake of any of the drugs suddenly, then you will face severe withdrawal symptoms. Let’s look into all those symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms of Suboxone include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Sweating
- Runny nose
- Muscle ache
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Withdrawal symptoms of Subutex include
- Anxiety
- Bone, muscle, and joint pain
- Chills
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Excessive yawning
- Fever
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Mood changes
- Nausea
- vomiting
- Opioid cravings
- Pupil dilation
- Sweating
- Watery eyes
- runny nose
Alternatives to Suboxone and Subutex
There are several alternative options available for people unable to take Suboxone or Subutex. These alternatives are equally effective and may be a better option in curing an individual than the actual drug itself.
Alternatives to Suboxone
- Buprenorphine
- Zubsolv
- Methadone
- Naltrexone
- Vivitrol
Alternatives to Subutex
- Belbuca
- Brixadi
- Buprenex
- Butrans
- Sublocade
- Zubsolv
- Suboxone
Can You Take Suboxone and Subutex Together?
Taking Suboxone and Subutex together may not cause much difference to your condition. Since both the drugs contain Buprenophine, there is a chance of getting overdosed on it, but the presence of Naloxone in Suboxone stops this from happening. Naloxone produces certain withdrawal symptoms if you try to misuse any drug, which is an indication to reduce the intake the drug intake. Doctors would not generally recommend the mixture of Suboxone and Subutex, so it’s better not to try any such weird combination on your own.
Conclusion
The drugs Suboxone and Subutex are quite effective in their own way to treat opioid use disorder. Use these drugs wisely and do not forget to keep them out of the reach of children and animals. Discuss your problems frankly with your healthcare providers to get the best treatment as per your condition. If any of your family members is facing addiction issues and is under treatment for it, then do not let them feel alone and try to console them. Try to understand their feelings and stand with them in the journey of their recovery.