Is Suboxone® Right for You? A Guide to Buprenorphine and Naloxone Treatment
Suboxone is a medication that is used to treat opioid addiction. It is a combination of two drugs, buprenorphine, and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid agonist, which means it binds to the same receptors in the brain as other opioids such as heroin and morphine. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, which means it blocks the effects of opioids. Suboxone is taken as a tablet or film that is placed under the tongue or inside the cheek. It is usually taken once a day.
Suboxone is used as part of a complete treatment program that includes counseling and behavioral therapy. It should not be used if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. You should not drink alcohol or use other drugs while taking Suboxone. If you stop taking Suboxone suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, shaking, nausea, and diarrhea.