Suboxone's Opiate Blocker: Understanding Naloxone and its Role

Suboxone is a drug used mostly in the treatment of opiate addiction. Suboxone is the combination of two other drugs (naloxone and buprenorphine) to reduce the withdrawal symptoms of opiate addiction and to block the effects of any opiates used at the same time.

Naloxone

• Naloxone is the opiate blocker in Suboxone. When naloxone is being used, it stops the effects of opiates (such as euphoria).

Buprenorphine

• Buprenorphine, the other component in Suboxone, reduces withdrawal symptoms (such as sweating and insomnia) and opiate cravings. It creates similar effects to opiates (like morphine), but without euphoria.

Uses

• Suboxone is used to treat opiate addiction. It eases withdrawal symptoms and blocks other opiates as well, preventing users from getting high off of drugs like heroin or morphine.

Suboxone Regimen

• Suboxone is often used in a similar way to methadone maintenance. It is prescribed by a doctor in a certain dose, and the dose is lowered over time to prevent withdrawal symptoms. The goal is to wean the user off of opiates and Suboxone.

Misuse

• Since Suboxone also mimics the effects of opiates, it can be addictive itself (though less so than other opiates). Also, if taken improperly (injected, for example), the buprenorphine fails to work, and the naloxone throws the user into a sudden and painful withdrawal.