How long can Suboxone be detected in urine?

Suboxone is a prescription medication utilized in opioid addiction treatment. It contains two substances: buprenorphine and naloxone. If you’re taking Suboxone and have to submit to a drug test for work or other purposes, you might be wondering, “How long does Suboxone stay in your system?” While each person is different, the general information below provides guidelines regarding the Suboxone detection time on a drug test.

How Long Does Suboxone Stay In Your System?

The answer to, “How long does it take Suboxone to leave your system?” depends upon the type of test that is utilized. For instance, a hair test will have a longer detection window than other forms of drug testing, such as urine or saliva. There can be variations depending upon a person’s health, metabolism, and age, but in general, a urine test detects drug use within the past 1-3 days, whereas hair testing can detect drugs used within the past 3 months, or sometimes even longer, according to scientists. 

According to laboratory guidelines from October 2021, buprenorphine, the active drug in Suboxone, has a 26-42 hour half-life, and it is detectable in the urine for 1-7 days. Metabolites of buprenorphine may be detected in the urine for up to 2 weeks. 

Understanding the buprenorphine half-life is important, because the half-life of a substance is what determines how quickly, or slowly, it clears from the body. After one half-life, 50% of the initial amount of a drug will have been removed from the body, and after about five half-lives, the drug is completely cleared. Buprenorphine has a long half-life, meaning that it remains in the body for a relatively long amount of time compared to shorter-acting drugs 

The graphic below provides a visual depiction to answer questions like, “How long is Suboxone detectable in urine?” 

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Factors That Affect How Long Suboxone Stays In Your System 

Beyond the different testing methods, there are several factors that influence how long Suboxone stays in the system. Below are some things to consider when thinking about the answer to, “How long is Suboxone in your system?”

Metabolism

Each person’s metabolism differs, which means that some people may metabolize and excrete drugs more quickly, whereas other people may find that drugs remain in their body for a longer period of time. Someone who metabolizes substances more quickly may have a Suboxone detection time of just 1 day in the urine, whereas someone who metabolizes the drug more slowly may test positive via urine for closer to 7 days after use. 

Dosage of Suboxone

Suboxone comes in various buprenorphine/naloxone doses. Someone who is on a higher dosage of buprenorphine will probably find that the drug is detectable in their system for a longer amount of time when compared to someone on a lower dose.

Your Personal Health 

Being in good health with no liver or kidney problems typically means that Suboxone and other drugs will clear out of your system more quickly. On the other hand, if you have a liver condition or other health problems that affect drug metabolism, your body will take longer to process Suboxone and clear it out of your system.

Having excess body fat can also increase the Suboxone detection time in urine, as drugs can be stored in fat cells and remain in the body for longer periods. 

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FAQs About Suboxone Detection Time 

If you’re looking for information pertaining to how long Suboxone is in your system, the answers to the following frequently-asked questions will likely be helpful. 

Is Suboxone Detectable In Urine, And Will It Show Up On A Drug Test?

If you’re taking prescription Suboxone, and you have to take a drug test for work, it may or may not show up. In many cases, Suboxone will show up on a urine drug screen only if it is testing specifically for buprenorphine, the active drug in Suboxone. 

Many employers utilize a 10-panel drug screen, which tests for the presence of the following substances:

• Amphetamines (meth, MDMA, Adderall)
• Barbiturates 
• Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin)
• Cocaine
• Marijuana
• Methadone
• Methaqualone 
• Opiates (codeine, morphine)
• PCP
• Propoxyphene (Darvocet) 

While 10-panel drug screens are commonly used in workplace urine testing, some agencies, such as courts who are following individuals on probation, may specifically test for buprenorphine. If you’re undergoing drug testing, the lab conducting the test can tell you the specific substances for which they are testing. They will also likely ask for a list of any prescription medications you may be taking.

What Is The Half Life Of Suboxone?

Suboxone contains two substances, buprenorphine and naloxone. The buprenorphine half-life is 26-42 hours, which means it stays in the body for a relatively long duration. On the other hand, the half-life of naloxone is much shorter, at just 60 minutes. 

Can You Test Suboxone Levels In Urine?

Suboxone is detectable in the urine, if a company or laboratory specifically tests for buprenorphine. A 10-panel drug screen utilized by an employer is not likely to test for buprenorphine, but the specific substances detected in a urine screen vary depending on the type of panel. While buprenorphine is not usually included in most routine drug screen panels, you should not assume that the test you’re submitting to will not detect Suboxone. 

Why Would I Test Positive for Suboxone?

If you test positive for Suboxone, it is because you are prescribed a medication that contains this drug, or you have consumed this drug, perhaps unknowingly. Some drug dealers may sell Suboxone or other buprenorphine-containing products illegally. If you have been misusing opioid drugs, it is possible you may have purchased and ingested Suboxone. In this case, you would benefit from seeking opioid addiction treatment. 

How Long Does Suboxone Stay In Your Urine?

Individual detection times will vary based upon a person’s health and metabolism, but in general, buprenorphine, the main drug in Suboxone, is detectable in urine for 1-7 days. Buprenorphine metabolites can remain in the body and appear on a urine drug screen for up to 2 weeks. 

What Does Suboxone Show Up As On A Drug Screen?

If you’re taking Suboxone, it will  show up on a drug screen as its active ingredient, buprenorphine. You may also test positive for norbuprenorphine, a metabolite of buprenorphine. 

Some people worry that taking Suboxone means they will test positive for opioids like heroin if they have to submit to a drug screen, but this is not the case. Suboxone is chemically different from heroin and other opioid drugs, so you will not fail a drug screen for opioids if you’re only using Suboxone.

What’s The Fastest Way To Get Suboxone Out Of Your System?

If you’re searching for information on how to flush Suboxone out of your system, or you’re wondering how to pass a drug test with Suboxone in your system, you might be worried that taking prescription Suboxone will cause you to be fired if you test positive for it on a workplace drug screen.

If this is your concern, it can be helpful to know that the law is likely on your side. The following statement should not constitute legal advice, but the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects individuals who are in recovery and no longer using illegal substances. If you’re taking Suboxone as a part of opioid addiction treatment, instead of worrying about flushing the drug out of your system prior to a workplace drug screen, you’d probably be better off telling your employer that you’re in recovery and no longer misusing substances, and you’re taking Suboxone as part of your recovery. In many cases, your providing prescriber will happily confirm your care and prescription via a letter or phone call dependent on need.

If you test positive for legally-prescribed Suboxone, you can turn to the ADA for protection, and consult with an attorney should you be discriminated against for a positive test. 

Consult With Online Suboxone Doctors Through Confidant Health 

If you’re looking to consult with an online Suboxone doctor, Confidant Health is here to help. Our caring team will walk alongside you every step of the way, and we can answer the important questions you have about your treatment, including, “How long does Suboxone stay in your system?”

Download our app today, on either the Apple Store or the Google Play Store, to begin online medication-assisted treatment. 

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