purplehaze147
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2010
- Messages
- 470
Figured I'd explain the difference. I'm sure the question comes up a lot. I've been prescribed both and have done them every ROA possible except for in eye or in spine so I know what I'm talking about. Also I've tried both with little or no opioid tolerance, been on & off.
Suboxone is the brand name for a preparation of 4:1 buprenorphine & naloxone. The brand name only comes in films now & the generic only comes as a sublingual tablet. Taken sublingually, the films have a greater bioavailability (amount that gets absorbed into bloodstream) and dissolve faster than pill forms. The brand name has a lemon flavor & is not bad, not too bitter, as long as you keep it under your tounge. I'm not sure what flavor the generic is, if someone does let me know.
Subutex is the brand name for buprenorphine only that is in dosages higher than those prescribed for pain. Subutex, as a brand name, is discontinued but there are still generic formulations. It's only available in sublingual pill form. The generic tastes awful. They're basically unflavored they just have a tiny hint of menthol in them which makes them uncomfortable to snort. I switched back to Suboxone films because of the taste.
About Naloxone: Naloxone is an opioid receptor antagonist. This means it binds to the opioid receptors without stimulating them. It is the official antidote for most opioid overdoses. It has a strong binding affinity (attaches to receptor tightly). Therefore it will knock most* kinds of opioids off the receptors & will also obstruct most* opioids from binding to the receptor.
Q: WHY IS NALOXONE IN SUBOXONE?
A: SO RECKITT BENCKISER PHARMACEUTICALS COULD GET ANOTHER PATENT AND STILL CONTROL THE BUPRENORPHINE MARKET WHILE TRICKING PEOPLE INTO THINKING IT IS LESS ADDICTIVE AND ABUSABLE THAN SUBUTEX. It is said to be put in suboxone to stop people from I.V.ing it since naloxone is absorbed poorly except when injected.
Q: Does Subutex feel better or any different than Suboxone?
A: No, the effects are identical even when injected. The reason why the naloxone doesn't make a difference is because of buprenorphine's extremely high binding affinity. Bupe will always out compete naloxone for the spot on the receptor no matter how much is taken. Subutex will still precipitate withdrawal very badly if taken too early. The naloxone in Suboxone will make it slightly worse but it's mostly the buprenorphine causing the withdrawal.
My advice is go with the Suboxone films if your insurance covers them. Mine, Horizon BC/BS, does. Should cost me $18 a month for the brand name but I get them totally free ($0.00) every month with a reusable coupon I got from my doctor.
* Not buprenorphine. The antidote for bupe is not naloxone, it wouldn't work, it's diprenorphine.
Suboxone is the brand name for a preparation of 4:1 buprenorphine & naloxone. The brand name only comes in films now & the generic only comes as a sublingual tablet. Taken sublingually, the films have a greater bioavailability (amount that gets absorbed into bloodstream) and dissolve faster than pill forms. The brand name has a lemon flavor & is not bad, not too bitter, as long as you keep it under your tounge. I'm not sure what flavor the generic is, if someone does let me know.
Subutex is the brand name for buprenorphine only that is in dosages higher than those prescribed for pain. Subutex, as a brand name, is discontinued but there are still generic formulations. It's only available in sublingual pill form. The generic tastes awful. They're basically unflavored they just have a tiny hint of menthol in them which makes them uncomfortable to snort. I switched back to Suboxone films because of the taste.
About Naloxone: Naloxone is an opioid receptor antagonist. This means it binds to the opioid receptors without stimulating them. It is the official antidote for most opioid overdoses. It has a strong binding affinity (attaches to receptor tightly). Therefore it will knock most* kinds of opioids off the receptors & will also obstruct most* opioids from binding to the receptor.
Q: WHY IS NALOXONE IN SUBOXONE?
A: SO RECKITT BENCKISER PHARMACEUTICALS COULD GET ANOTHER PATENT AND STILL CONTROL THE BUPRENORPHINE MARKET WHILE TRICKING PEOPLE INTO THINKING IT IS LESS ADDICTIVE AND ABUSABLE THAN SUBUTEX. It is said to be put in suboxone to stop people from I.V.ing it since naloxone is absorbed poorly except when injected.
Q: Does Subutex feel better or any different than Suboxone?
A: No, the effects are identical even when injected. The reason why the naloxone doesn't make a difference is because of buprenorphine's extremely high binding affinity. Bupe will always out compete naloxone for the spot on the receptor no matter how much is taken. Subutex will still precipitate withdrawal very badly if taken too early. The naloxone in Suboxone will make it slightly worse but it's mostly the buprenorphine causing the withdrawal.
My advice is go with the Suboxone films if your insurance covers them. Mine, Horizon BC/BS, does. Should cost me $18 a month for the brand name but I get them totally free ($0.00) every month with a reusable coupon I got from my doctor.
* Not buprenorphine. The antidote for bupe is not naloxone, it wouldn't work, it's diprenorphine.
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