Suboxone® and Buprenorphine Treatment in Austin, TX

Buprenorphine and Suboxone® are technically not the same thing, but buprenorphine is one of two medical ingredients that is included in Suboxone®, with the other medication that is included being naloxone. Suboxone® contains these two medications and is prescribed to patients who are struggling with an opioid use disorder with a goal of using uncontrolled opioids such as morphine, heroin, or methadone. Buprenorphine is a type of opioid that is used to treat moderate to severe pain or opioid dependence, and naloxone is an opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of the opioid medication. The two work together through Suboxone®, which is approved to treat opioid use disorder and is available as a dissolvable film that patients take by placing it in the cheek area or under the tongue once daily.

Buprenorphine and bupropion are two different types of medication that require a prescription from a qualified healthcare provider. Both medications work through an effect on the central nervous symptom and are considered to be well-tolerated with only mild side effects commonly experienced. Aside from these similarities, these two medications are very different. Buprenorphine is a type of opioid that is used for the treatment of opioid abuse disorders due to its efficacy in reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings to allow patients to gradually reduce their dependence on opioids. Bupropion, on the other hand, is typically prescribed as an antidepressant, being used predominantly to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. It is also sometimes prescribed as a smoking cessation aid. Both medications can be prescribed for other uses but there is little overlap in their uses. Buprenorphine typically causes mild side effects including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and constipation, whereas bupropion will commonly cause dry mouth, anxiety, insomnia, and headaches.

Both Suboxone® and Butrans contain the medication buprenorphine, which is a type of opioid. However, Suboxone® is primarily used as a medication to treat substance use disorder to help those with an addiction to opioids to suppress their cravings and avoid withdrawal. In contrast, Butrans is a pain medication that typically comes in the form of a patch to slowly administer pain medication for those with severe chronic pain, making it a safe and effective option for pain management. Since it is an opioid, Butrans is typically only prescribed for patients suffering from moderate to severe pain who have not found sufficient relief through non-opioid pain medications or shorter-lasting opioid medications.

Other differences include how the medication is administered, with Suboxone® typically being administered orally, and Butrans being available as a patch. As well, Suboxone® does not last as long as Butrans, so it must be taken more regularly, and is provided through a lower dose to achieve the desired effect. Dosing of the two medications differs quite a bit since Butrans is taken for pain relief, so it is often required at a higher dosage to achieve significant results.

As with most medications, buprenorphine does come with some contraindications that can interfere with how it works. If you are currently taking any medications that help you sleep, are for high blood pressure, treat mental health problems, treat allergy symptoms, control seizures, or treat any infection, you must disclose this information to your doctor to ensure that taking buprenorphine will not lead to adverse effects when combined with the other medications. Medications that should never be taken alongside buprenorphine include painkillers that contain codeine as this can lead to significantly worsened or serious side effects while using buprenorphine.

As well, heat can cause the medication that is contained in the patch to absorb into your body at a faster rate, so patients are instructed to not use a heating pad or sunlamp, and to avoid sunbathing or taking long hot baths or showers to prevent the chance of developing serious side effects or risking an overdose while wearing patches that contain buprenorphine. For more information, contact us today or schedule an appointment online. We serve patients from Austin TX, Georgetown TX, Leander TX, Jonestown TX, Cedar Park TX, Round Rock TX, Rollingwood, TX, Bluff Springs TX, Del Valle TX, and surrounding areas.